Adobe 7.0 reader for Linux now available

Keywords: Match:

Mar. 25, 2005

[Updated Apr. 2, 2005] -- Adobe has quietly made a download of the Linux version of Adobe Reader 7.0 available on its ftp site. The newly renamed utility handles portable document files (PDFs) deftly, and additionally now allows users to collaborate on projects and provides additional file security at the server-level, according to Adobe.

Adobe Reader 7.0 in action
Adobe briefly offered a pre-release of the Linux version of Adobe Reader 7.0 early this year through its beta program, but the download was soon discontinued once the company determined it had engaged with enough beta testers to meet its development requirements.

Thankfully, Version 7.0 for Linux of Adobe Reader is now available for download in tar and rpm format from Adobe's ftp site. Both downloads are nearly 40MB in size.

We installed the rpm on SuSE Linux Professional 9.2 without any difficulty, and it appears to work properly. An interesting addition to the latest reader is that it now includes a small advertisement in the upper-right-hand corner of its menu bar (see the green rectangle in the above screenshot?). Also, there's now an easy way launch a web search directly from within the reader -- but hey, who wants to do that with Yahoo!?

Adobe notes that enterprises desiring greater power and flexibility -- including the ability to view, change, copy, print, forward a PDF document via email, and authenticate files -- can opt for the $50,000 "LiveCycle Policy Server," which runs on Red Hat Linux, Sun Solaris, Windows, and other operating systems. The package also allows users to jointly participate in document reviews, includes search tools based on Yahoo!'s toolbar, and enables the manipulation of 3D objects in PDF files. It will support Novell's SuSE Linux by mid-2005, Adobe says.

A "Professional" version of Acrobat 7.0 is also available, priced from US $449. Registered users of previous versions of Acrobat can upgrade to Acrobat 7.0 Professional for US $159. The standard version is priced at US $299 and upgrades are available from US $99.

Linux support is not a new initiative within Adobe. Adobe had previously offered support for Linux with Acrobat Reader 5.0, but discontinued Linux support with version 6. Late last year, the company joined OSDL.

These days, no computer is complete without a PDF file reader. In fact, Adobe claims that over half a billion copies of Adobe Reader have been downloaded since its debut in 1993.

[Note: This article was updated to remove a comment about the lack of a positionable text selection function. In the General selection of Preferences, there is an option to enable text selection for the hand tool. This allows users to copy/paste selected text from the page.]

Related stories:

(Click here for further information)

7 Advantages of D2D Backup
For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.

4 Legal Reasons to Control Internet Access
The Internet is obviously a valuable resource for many organizations. However, many are exposed to legal liability concerns because they fail to control Internet access. Learn if you're safe in this white paper.

Rapidly Resolve J2EE Application Problems
Whether you are in the process of building J2EE applications or have J2EE applications already running in production, you must ensure that they deliver the expected ROI. Learn how in this white paper.

Load Testing 2.0 for Web 2.0
There are many unknowns in stress testing Web 2.0 applications. Find out how to test the performance of Web 2.0 in this white paper.

Build Better Games Online
For the game infrastructure providers, life is complex. Making money from games has become more complicated. Why? Find out in this white paper.

Building a Virtual Infrastructure from Servers to Storage
This white paper discusses the virtual storage solutions that reduce cost, increase storage utilization, and address the challenges of backing up and restoring Server environments.

Gaining Faster Wireless Connections with WiMAX
Welcome to what is quickly becoming the hyperconnected world where anything that would benefit from being connected to the network will be connected. Learn more in this white paper.

Is Your Desktop a Security Threat?
The new wave of sophisticated crimeware not only targets specific companies, but also targets desktops and laptops as backdoor entryways into those business’ operations and resources. Learn how to stay safe in this white paper.

Increasing SAN Reliability by 100 Percent
Storage area networks (SAN) are a strong part of storage plans. Learn how to increase your reliability and uptime by 100 percent in this case study.

Got a HOT tip? please tell us!

ADVERTISEMENT
(Advertise here)

Desktop Linux books Join our Desktop Linux discussion forums: • Moving to Linux • Linux/Windows debate! • Linux Q&A . . . and more Linux vs. Windows • in the enterprise • in gadgets & devices	Most popular recent stories: • A Vista vs. Linux matchup • Choosing a desktop Linux distro • Linus versus GNOME • Why Windows wins and Linux loses • The best free desktop Linux • Why Windows Vista will suck • 2006 Desktop Linux year in review • The well-tempered Debian desktop • Here come the Dell Linux desktops, laptops • Seven Linux distros fight over one old ThinkPad • Putting openSUSE 10.2 through its paces • Results from the 2006 Desktop Linux Survey

BREAKING NEWS

• Linux for the self-employed
• CNR supports Linux Mint, adds Weatherbug
• Ubuntu ported to PDA
• Sample chapter available for new Scalix book
• Sun launches OpenSolaris
• EeePC to gain Linux content aggregation tool
• A Windows-like install for Hardy Heron
• Ubuntu 8, Fedora 9 package OpenJDK
• A "hardy" Linux distro goes to work
• KDE Linux reaches 52 million Brazilian kids
• Tutorial explains Mandriva 2008 configuration
• Google Maps gains easy Linux install
• OSCON colocates with Ubuntu Live
• Open-source Flash rival "Gnashes" out
• "Most significant" Ubuntu release ever approaches

Linux-Watch headlines:
• Running a small business on desktop Linux
• Sun launches OpenSolaris
• Via tiptoes toward openness
• Linux certification comes to Italy
• Installing Ubuntu Hardy Heron as a web hosting server
• Black Duck Buys Koders
• Open source conference co-locates with Ubuntu show
• Ubuntu 8.04 ready to challenge Windows
• KDE Linux reaches 52 million Brazilian kids
• Free x86-based Linux router distro rev'd

Visit the...

news feed

Use of this site is governed by our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Except where otherwise specified, the contents of this site are copyright © 1999-2008 Ziff Davis Enterprise Holdings Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Ziff Davis Enterprise is prohibited. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.