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    adobe updates.. huh..

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by decaPODA, Mar 17, 2009.

  1. decaPODA

    decaPODA Notebook Evangelist

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    one thing which i have been quite unable to understand is "why in the world i would need an update of couple of mb to just to read my pdf files.."

    Oh! i m talkin about adobe acrobat updates..

    Or may be i am totally ignorance about what all can acrobat do..

    any better free PDF reader up there to take on adobe..??
     
    decaPODA, Mar 17, 2009
    #1
  2. namaiki

    namaiki "basically rocks" Super Moderator

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    You could have a look at Fox-it Reader for an alternate PDF program.
     
    namaiki, Mar 17, 2009
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  3. Tinderbox (UK)

    Tinderbox (UK) BAKED BEAN KING

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    Tinderbox (UK), Mar 17, 2009
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  4. entropy.cz

    entropy.cz Notebook Evangelist

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    basically, the updates are there also for security reasons. i guess that the recent update has something to do with JS vulnerability; there was some security hole which allowed to run malicious javascript codes included in PDF files (yes it is possible). so, the updates aren't released just for the fun of it. :rolleyes:

    to be honest i have no ideas if other vendor's PDF-reader apps are so vulnerable as well; but in case that they offer similar functionality (in this case, if they're able to work with JS), they should offer updates as well.
     
    entropy.cz, Mar 17, 2009
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  5. davepermen

    davepermen Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    a couple mb updates is not much id you notice that adobe reader eats more than 100mb after installation :)

    but that it's that big by itself is just crazy.
     
    davepermen, Mar 17, 2009
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  6. qhn

    qhn Notebook User

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    Many apps, even Windows, do need a few kb of updates to keep running efficiently, if the developers deem the updates are being required to patch certain codes.

    cheers ...
     
    qhn, Mar 17, 2009
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  7. eversman

    eversman Notebook Consultant

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    yeah adobe stuff is a serious resource hog. and yes, that update is to counter a specific JS vulnerability that can allow escalation of privileges and take over of control.



    ev
     
    eversman, Mar 17, 2009
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  8. decaPODA

    decaPODA Notebook Evangelist

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    ooppss.. sorry for the wrong quote mates..
    I wanted to write "a couple of hundred mb of updates instead of couple of mb :D...

    but anyway, my queries were very well answered by u pros. :) thanks a ton to all of you..

    cheers..
     
    decaPODA, Mar 17, 2009
    #8
  9. Primes

    Primes Notebook Deity

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    I changed over to foxit pdf reader a while ago and never looked back. works great and no annoying adobe stuff loading on startup. :D
     
    Primes, Mar 18, 2009
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  10. swarmer

    swarmer beep beep

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    Other PDF readers might have vulnerabilities too, but they're much less likely to be targeted, since most people use Adobe Reader.

    Anyway... another vote for FoxIt here. :)
     
    swarmer, Mar 18, 2009
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  11. decaPODA

    decaPODA Notebook Evangelist

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    :)
    thanks for the suggestions buddies.. upgrading to Foxit

    thanks again..
     
    decaPODA, Mar 18, 2009
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  12. gazzacbr

    gazzacbr Notebook Evangelist

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    adobe really overates itself just for the reader. no way to even turn updates off without hacking registry/renaming files and very slow startup. will also try foxit
     
    gazzacbr, Mar 18, 2009
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  13. davepermen

    davepermen Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    on slower systems i use sumatrapdf. but on ssd-based systems, adobe reader boots in less than a quarter sec or so (completely instant) so it's not that much of a problem.

    in earlier days, i just deleted all plugins and plugins_3d in the adobe subfolders. that way, adobe reader started up close to instant on any system.
     
    davepermen, Mar 18, 2009
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  14. lineS of flight

    lineS of flight Notebook Virtuoso

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    So...would you say that it is better I uninstall Adobe's Acrobat Reader (and its 100+meg file + updates) and install a much lighter PDF reader? What happens to the scores of PDF files that I already have between the times that I uninstall the Acrobat Reader and installing the new one?
     
    lineS of flight, Mar 18, 2009
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  15. davepermen

    davepermen Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    scores?

    ?
     
    davepermen, Mar 18, 2009
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  16. lineS of flight

    lineS of flight Notebook Virtuoso

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    Defined as "a group of twenty" ( http://www.thefreedictionary.com/score)

    In the sense in which I used the word, I meant to imply that I have a LOT of pdf files! :D
     
    lineS of flight, Mar 18, 2009
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  17. davepermen

    davepermen Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    and so?

    you don't need to read them while you uninstall the old and install the new one, now do you? :)

    edit: and no, i never heard score in that usage :)
     
    davepermen, Mar 18, 2009
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  18. Bog

    Bog Losing it...

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    decaPODA, you have an... interesting... avatar.
     
    Bog, Mar 18, 2009
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  19. lineS of flight

    lineS of flight Notebook Virtuoso

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    True! Anyways...

    Of these:

    Foxit Reader 3.0
    Adobe Reader Lite
    CutePDF
    doPDF
    PDF-XCHANGE Viewer
    PrimoPDF
    MikTeX A de

    Which one would you or anyone else recommend? I like the idea of a PDF creator too!!!
     
    lineS of flight, Mar 18, 2009
    #19
  20. davepermen

    davepermen Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    i use sumatrapdf so one more on your list :)
     
    davepermen, Mar 18, 2009
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  21. lineS of flight

    lineS of flight Notebook Virtuoso

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    Thanks...but I just installed Foxit!
     
    lineS of flight, Mar 18, 2009
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  22. davepermen

    davepermen Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    bad boy!! :)
     
    davepermen, Mar 18, 2009
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  23. eversman

    eversman Notebook Consultant

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    +1 vote for Foxit pdf.


    ev
     
    eversman, Mar 18, 2009
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  24. decaPODA

    decaPODA Notebook Evangelist

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    :) way to go with Foxit..

    but when installing it..it asked for a toolbar with agreement.. but Foxed it , cos me using chrome.. hahaha

    cheers..
    ____________________
    DEll XPS 1530, core2duo 2ghz, 4 gig, 256 geforce, 250 gb HDD
     
    decaPODA, Mar 19, 2009
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  25. lineS of flight

    lineS of flight Notebook Virtuoso

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    That toolbar can be avoided, I think. Goto View>Advertisment (and uncheck the box) but I think you need to do this everytime, which can be a pain...does not bother me though since I don't search PDFs!
     
    lineS of flight, Mar 19, 2009
    #25