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Computer Discussion => Software Discussion => Topic started by: scuzzy on December 10, 2008, 19:17 hrs

Title: Disgust with Adobe
Post by: scuzzy on December 10, 2008, 19:17 hrs
I have been very happily using Foxit Reader for quite some time. I cannot put into words how happy I was to dump that overgrown, fat pig, also known as Adobe Reader.

Unfortunately my employer recently obtained a new reporting software that we must use for certain reports. However, the software mandates an Adobe Reader installation. I was completely unsuccessful in a work around using Foxit Reader, which was later confirmed by the software administrator. Adobe Reader must be installed for the software to work.

So now I have this massive pig on my hard drive again, which installed other UNWANTED fat pig software. I don't have much of an option. If I can't do the reports at home then I have no choice other than to drive to one of the workstations. Considering that it's 39 miles one-way, it looks like I'm stuck with the pig.

In case it's not obvious, let me spell it out: I hate Adobe Reader beyond words. While Foxit Reader only took up about 4 or 5 megs, the pig demands 204MB of prime real estate, not counting the other worthless crap that I DON'T WANT on my computer.

I hate bloated software, and Adobe is King of Bloat.
Title: Re: Disgust with Adobe
Post by: Mark H on December 10, 2008, 21:17 hrs
We have Adobe Standard on our work computers and I guess it is OK. I am not a big fan of it, but it is the documentation tool of our trade. I have Reader on my home PC, but have no plans to purchase the standard version.

I think Windows should have software built into it that can read PDFs without anyone having to get Adobe Reader.

Mark H; I like it simple
Title: Re: Disgust with Adobe
Post by: scuzzy on December 10, 2008, 21:32 hrs
Quote from: Mark H on December 10, 2008, 21:17 hrs
I think Windows should have software built into it that can read PDFs without anyone having to get Adobe Reader.

That would be an excellent solution.
Title: Re: Disgust with Adobe
Post by: halokid on December 11, 2008, 01:30 hrs
Scuzzy, I too am a happy user of foxit reader, infact i have been using it ever since you posted about it a while back. You might want to consider using an Adobe "lite" version which is what i was using before foxit. I will add that it isnt
quite as snappy as Foxit, however it is a bit more responsive than the full bloated version of adobe. I dont remember what version i was using  before switching over to Foxit but they now have a an adobe 9 reader out. Adobe Reader 9.0 Lite (http://www.softpedia.com/get/PORTABLE-SOFTWARE/Office/Calendar-Organizers/PDF/Portable-Adobe-Reader-Lite.shtml) (EDIT: link updated by Scuzzy)

edit: i just installed the version given in the link above and it is pretty close to the responsiveness imo to foxit... maybe a lil bit slower :) good luck!
Title: Re: Disgust with Adobe
Post by: scuzzy on December 11, 2008, 12:36 hrs
Thanks, halokid. I will download the Lite version and give it a try. I was not aware of its existence.

Yesterday morning I installed Adobe Reader 9, which automatically installed Adobe.com and Adobe Air. I removed the latter two after the installation, and I then used WinPatrol to curb Adobe Reader Speed Launcher. But I'm still unhappy with how fat the program is.

I was spoiled with Foxit Reader and I already miss it.
Title: Re: Disgust with Adobe
Post by: Mark H on December 11, 2008, 12:57 hrs
I have the free Adobe Reader at home and it doesn't give me any problems. The Adobe Standard is on my work computer and it hurts my work computer's performance since it isn't up to the standards of my home system.

Mark H; always have a better PC at home than work or you will be frustrated when at home and not getting paid for the time
Title: Re: Disgust with Adobe
Post by: scuzzy on December 11, 2008, 13:15 hrs
Adobe Lite worked excellent. Thanks!

It's still a heavyweight compared to Foxit, but it only takes up 65MB of space compared to 204MB for the regular installation. As far as the program itself is concerned, I can't tell the difference between Adobe Reader and Adobe Reader Lite.
Title: Re: Disgust with Adobe
Post by: scuzzy on December 11, 2008, 14:09 hrs
It works perfectly. I can't tell the difference between Reader and Reader Lite, other than the fact that Lite is considerably smaller.
Title: Re: Disgust with Adobe
Post by: pat on December 20, 2008, 08:38 hrs
Here is another,  PDF Viewer  (http://www.docu-track.com/home/prod_user/PDF-XChange_Tools/pdfx_viewer/)
This one seems to have some nifty features, not sure if it's what you need to edit the work files. I've installed a copy and will be testing it out to see how well it works.
Title: Re: Disgust with Adobe
Post by: scuzzy on December 20, 2008, 11:19 hrs
I also tried PDF XChange prior to Adobe, but it wouldn't even pull up the form. Although Foxit didn't work, I could at least view the form.