Customer Reviews

Adobe Acrobat 7.0 Standard [OLD VERSION]

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Having purchased and been very happy with Acrobat 4-6 standard editions, I am sorry to say Version 7 is real step backwards for Adobe:

-- The program will not read many pdf documents Acrobat 4-6 will (this may some sort of font copyright problem or just a flaw in this version of the software).

-- The Activation process is tedious, difficult and prevents you from using your own software, even if you only install it on one machine.

Having purchased this software almost a year ago, I uninstalled it because it did not read files Acrobat 6 does, as mentioned above. I thought this might be a bug in the program which Adobe would fix. So I installed and uninstalled it several times, each time the program would not work. Now the program tells me I have activated it too many times, though I have no working copy of the program. The software tells me to call Adobe customer support, but after keeping me in a computer loop for 10 minutes I learn the "call center" is closed, or there is simply no answer after 50 minutes.

If I could return this software I would. It does not work. I can't return my copy, but you don't have to buy a copy. Stick with 6.0 or the cheaper Scansoft program. Acrobat 7.0 does not work, and after a time Adobe won't let you use, even if you buy it, full price.

One reason to like adobe was that they weren't Microsoft and they actually paid attention to their customers. Those days appear to be gone. Don't want extra toolbars on an already crowded interface (not adobe - but Office) too bad, you get them anyway. I could try and track down the reason or method to remove them but that would take hours and I don't have the time, They don't make it easy and it ignores customization of the toolbar when you restart. It's like spyware - and to accomplish this - it had to be a deliberate attempt to take over functions of my computer which I HATE! I'm a graphic designer so my opinion of Adobe is generally very high and I use their products a lot. This one is a dog though. Don't waste your money on the upgrade, until they start listening to their customers again.

This is not a worthwhile upgrade. The added functionality is not that much, it hasn't solved any of the previous PDF version problems (e.g. having to save as an earlier version if the document will be distributed via the web to accomodate for earlier versions of Reader or Acrobat).

Skip this. If you are an original buyer and don't need it for professional printing, don't bother there are other less expensive PDF creators out there that work just as well without adding unwanted features to your interface. Go out to dinner (and you would be able to afford a nice one) with the difference.

I use PDFs a lot and I must say that quite often I turn to Free PDF software to actually do the tasks that Acrobat fails to do. One area I have always had a problem with is the formatting of some documents in size and sometimes Acrobat simply fails to recognize them and so I switch to the Free PDF software which has no problems doing this and is easier to use.
However if you are a pro PDF maker who wants to add sigs and links and notes and chapters and all the other function tags including security tags then I recommend this product hands down as the best one. I just find that it is not always the best PDF software package in the world, but a good one all the same.

I would not recommend buying this one just to make standard PDF files alone. If you want to touch up those file then this is what you need to do that right.

I assumed, incorrectly, that Adobe's customer service would be professional and quick. I have called three times in the past two weeks and have had to wait, at a minimum, 23 MINUTES just to speak to someone.
When I finally got my product, they sent the Mac verion rather than the PC version I purchased. I called again and waited approximately 30 MINUTES to get customer help. I had originally ordered the PC Standard version and asked to upgrade (and pay difference) for the Professional version -- since I still hadn't received the PC version. Customer service stated that they would ONLY ship me the Standard version to replace the incorrectly shipped Mac Version and then I would have to wait for the Standard verison to arrive at which point I could call again, and ask to exchange for the Professional verion - INSANE!!! Adobe's call center is easily the worst customer service I have dealt with -- and I've dealt with some bad customer service.

Review of "Adobe Acrobat 7 Standard"
by Randy Brandon.


Pros: Feature rich, and robust. Simple user interface.

Cons: No full manual.

What can you say about the Adobe Acrobat program? What you should be saying is WOW!

Who would have guessed that all of these years down the road that Acrobat would have become such a total industry standard. And that there would be no fewer than four Acrobat programs to work with; Acrobat 7 Pro, Acrobat 7 Standard, Acrobat Elements, and of course Acrobat Reader.

I have been an Acrobat user since way back in Version 3, and I still use some form of Acrobat at some time during every day.

What I still think is a bit odd, is that dozens of people that I consult with about their computers every day, still have no real idea as to what Acrobat files really are, or even how to create them. They know what they look like, and use the free reader to view them, but that is a far as most of them go.

So, with that thought in mind, here goes my very own explanation as to what Adobe Acrobat does. It is a graphics application program that bundles, and encapsulates graphic and text files together into a single file. Now this is an extremely simplified version of what the program ultimately does, but you get the gist of its main purpose, and function.

That usually begs the next question: Why do I need to bundle all these files together?
The short answer is that if you want to insure that the person receiving your file is seeing the file like it looked on your side when you sent it.

And, in their own words " Adobe® Acrobat® 7.0 Standard software is the simple way to create and share more secure, reliable Adobe PDF documents"




So, in its essence, Acrobat 7 is the great equalizer, and the supreme translator all wrapped into one program. Ever since the computer/internet world found its legs, there was a problem with people sending a combined graphics and text file. And when they sent it, the layout looked great to the sender. But, alas, when that file arrived on the other end, it was a mess with text over here, and photos over there, etc.

The solution was Acrobat. This application was built to convert all types of file formats into a singular format that anyone could view with a free browser on all computers.

In making this giant leap to Version 7 Acrobat from my ancient version 4, I am a bit star struck with all of the new features in Acrobat 7.

To start with, there are numerous programs out there which can now create PDF files via a one click feature. These include Office, Excel, Internet Explorer, and Outlook Express.
Several of these options are Windows only features, and we can only hope that the Mac mail and browser programs will soon be added to this list.

And here is a new twist; You can now attach a file to your PDF document. Sort of like putting an attachment to your attachment...

There are several improvements to adding headers, footers, backgrounds, and watermarks, and the process is much easier that it ever was.

As always , the usage rights that users issue with their PDF files can be even more customized than before. Added control of the end user is really the key when limiting that control is important.

Acrobat 7 now supports both static, and interactive forms. Those Interactive type of forms created with either Acrobat Professional, or Adobe Designer allow for digital signatures, and electronic form completion.

Passing documents for review back and forth from art director to client, and back again is what Acrobat does very well. All browser based reviews done with a Mac are performed through Safari.

So when a designer sends out an Acrobat file to a client for review, the PDF files arrives at the client side, and a commenting toolbar shows up(if sent in a managed review document).
The reviewing tools provided include; The Callout tool, Group markups, Dimensioning tool, Exporting of comments and markup,Tracking Reviews, and finally, Approving documents in 4 eastern languages. There is a lot of control here, and that is why designers like it so much.

New security features allow for even more secure signature validation, plus revokable limits, and even secured attachments to your PDF files.

There are noticeable improvements to the accessibility features. There is extended language support, along with a much faster searching function that I personally use a great deal.

Acrobat 7 has now added an "Autosave" feature that can safeguard your data being backed up to another file name without messing up the original.


For the times when it is necessary to view some 3D content in a PDF file, version 7 can now do just that.

Version 7 can now create, and save "PDF/A" files for archiving, It can also scan paper documents directly into a searchable PDF file. Very nice.

One of the newest features in Version 7 is the new "Organizer", and is similar to Photoshop's Browser. Very easy to use, and well thought out.

There are lots of additional new features included with this version 7, but I will let you do the additional exploring for yourselves. Adobe has always been at the forefront in loading up their software with amazing features, and this latest version of Acrobat 7 certainly proves that point. The entire Acrobat family has grown to epic proportions in the scope of what it can do for documents, and their users. It's popularity in itself shows that the program works, and not only does what it is supposed to do, but does it beautifully.

Adobe Acrobat 7 steps up to the plate, and knocks it out of the park. Oh, did I mention that I am impressed? Now, some of my amazement could possibly stem from my shock at jumping from a much older version to this new version 7, but great software is a joy to use, especially when you need it.

Adobe Acrobat 7 is a feature rich, amazing, and quality product. There simply is no substitute. If you don't already own it, then you need to.

Some text fails to print even though it is displayed on the screen which is very frustrating. And looking up the cause is overwhelming because the help screens give me unrelated printing information.

And, some text is able to be edited but other parts don't even type in no matter what you do.

Who has time to fool with something that should not be doing what it's doing in the first place? These small things should not be issues at all. There is no reason why text that shows up on the screen does not print out except bad coding, in my opinion.

The most immediate feature you will notice about Acrobat 7.0 from previous versions is the load time. Although still not the fastest program, the loading time is cut dramatically from 6.0. It also does a very nice job of converting webpages into PDF files. Great for sharing.

Some of the new features in 7.0:

Adobe® Acrobat® 7.0 Standard software is the simple way to create and share more secure and reliable Adobe PDF documents.

* Create Adobe PDF documents from Microsoft Outlook
* Enjoy improved performance
* Use enhanced headers, footers, and watermarks
* Enjoy improved attachment capabilities
* Organize Adobe PDF documents

The READER is still a free download if you don't need to create/edit docs.

This will be my last Adobe software. Changed to a new laptop and deactivated and activated to my new new laptop. Now every time I start it needs reactivation. I have disabled outgoing internet access in my firewall from programs like Acrobat because Adobe's habit of doing push marketing into their software. But that screws up the reactivation and you cannot use the software. When I tried the phone automated reactivation, it refused the numbers that the program gave me to enter! The customer service will want an e-mail address to send you a patch to "fix" the reactivation problem and they asked me for phone number as well!

The choice for Adobe is simple, stop doing your push marketing into your software that I pay money to acquire and I will forgive your problems with reactivation. You cannot have your cake and eat it too inconveniencing legitimate users of your software. Adobe has not learnt from Intuit obviously.

Be warned: If you have any problems with Acrobat, their only interest in helping you is obtaining your credit card number. Then, MAYBE they can help you. I was unable to make pdfs from certain programs which have worked before, and which even work on an identical computer. Both computers are brand new. When I called, the person was rude, arrogant, and condescending. Unless I gave him my credit card number, he would not help me. He would not give his last name, allow me to speak with a supervisor or even give me his supervisor's name. I have Acrobat software which is useless to me.

After buying Adobe Acrobat Std 7 and installing it (tediously I might add); I proceeded happily for ~1 year. Then it quit working!!.. After opening a .pdf file it qould simply stop and terminate!!, no amount of searching gave me any clue, reinstalling severtal times gave me no differnt result. My advice.. save your money. Use Adobe 5 until they have fixed all their glitches...