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Portable Document Format
 
"Portable Document Format" preserves a document's original text format and allows an identical copy to be printed. This makes PDF ideal for course syllabi, as each instructor's preferred text formatting is maintained.
 
In order to access a PDF document, you will need to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader on your hard drive. This program is available from Barnard's Academic Technologies. It also can be downloaded free-of-charge from Adobe Systems Inc.
 
When you click a PDF file on the web, it will be downloaded to your hard drive, typically to the directory C:/My Download Files. Once the file resides on your computer, you will not have to download it again -- you will have permanent access. You can also move it to another directory (e.g. one called Syllabi) and rename it with a more descriptive title (such as Contemp-Issues.pdf). However, take care to maintain the .pdf file extension, so that the Acrobat Reader will launch automatically when you open the file.