Abode and Java

[frostyspecs]

Can somebody tell me in the simplist terms why I have to have the above programmes installed on my PC and what do the do FROSTYSPECS

[vehelpfulguy]

Adobe Acrobat Reader (to give it its full name) allows you to view files in PDF format.

PDF (Portable Document Format) files allow people to view a file but not be able to change it.

PDFs are used by companies who want to send out leaflets and brochures which can be viewed by people but not changed.

[vehelpfulguy]

Java is a programming language that allow people to write small programs that can be displayed in a browser, on mobile phone, PDAs etc.

Java programs often use animation of some sort (but not always)

You need a version of Java on your machine to allow these small programs to run

You can see some java games here

http://www.java.com/en/games/

[Buenchico]

An excellent answer (as usual) from VHG.

I'll just add that there's another bit of Adobe software which most people have on their computers. It's the Adobe Flash plug-in. It's function is to enable you view animated images which use the Flash format. In particular, it's required for viewing Youtube (and similar) videos.

Chris

[vehelpfulguy]

You can test if Adobe Acrobat Reader is installed on your PC here:

http://www.ogs.state.ny.us/adobereader/testins tall.pdf

If not you can download it from here

http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep 2.html

[vehelpfulguy]

You can test if Java is installed here

http://www.java.com/en/download/help/testvm.xm l

If not you can download it from here

http://www.java.com/en/download/index.jsp

[vehelpfulguy]

Yes Buenchico is right.

In fact Adobe is the name of a company, and they make lots of software.

I assumed you meant Adobe Acrobat Reader.

You could have meant Adobe Flash, or indeed Adobe Shockwave, both of which allow you to run animation in your browser.

You can test if they are installed here:

http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/welcome/

[ACtheTROLL]

having said that .... there are some alternatives

adobe reader 100Mb
foxit 2Mb http://www.foxitsoftware.com/pdf/rd_intro.php
far faster ... in every way

if XP
Real alternative
http://www.free-codecs.com/download/Real_Alter native.htm
Quicktime alternative
http://www.free-codecs.com/download/QuickTime_ Alternative.htm
neither "nags" or reports home

[frostyspecs]

Many thanks for all who replied to my question the replys were most helpful.
However, I found Java was already on my laptop but Acrobat reader could not be installed something about source unavailable. I then went to inland revenue site and downloaded a couple of forms and they came out no trouble, so I presume it had been installed some other time