About PDF Files

PDF documents are computer files which are viewable with the free Adobe Acrobat Reader program or other compatible PDF vier programs. You cannot view them with a word processor or other type of program.


These days, everyone uses PDF files for document distribution, as the format allows for many unique features beyond a normal word processing document.

The U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS), for example, uses PDF for delivery of all of their documents and forms (for example).

  • Click here to download a PDF version of the IRS W-9 form to test your computer to confirm that you have the current ability to read PDF files

    The PDF format has become the most widely used standard format for the distribution of documents on the Internet. Most recent computers are probably already setup with the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed.

    To confirm that fact, go to our MonkeyNotes Samples page and download a sample file or use the link to the IRS document found above.

    Please follow the instructions exactly. That will help you determine if you are already setup to view the PDF format.

    Please read carefully:

    PDF files can only be viewed using a PDF Viewer program. If you do not have a PDF viewer program installed on your computer, you must download and install one to view PDF files.

    We recommend the free Foxit PDF Reader program (the program we use ourselves), which can be downloaded for free at FoxitSoftware.com. If you are using a Windows computer, then that would be a good choice. Download the .exe or .zip file and install the Foxit PDF reader program to your computer. It's a very small program compared to Adobe Acrobat Reader and works much faster.

    Since our PDF files are compatible back to Acrobat Reader version all the way back to Acrobat Reader 2.0, which is no longer distributed and supported by Adobe. You can download the older version 2.0 of the Acrobat Reader HERE This download size is much smaller at 1.4 megs, but it should only be used on Windows machines [No Macs].

    If you want a more current version, go the Adobe Acrobat Reader site CLICK HERE to download the free reader.

    The latest versions are almost a 30 meg download, so you can also select their alternate website to download earlier versions (which are much smaller downloads) CLICK HERE . On that page, select Windows 98 or Windows 98SE as the operating system, to have the option of downloading Acrobat Reader versions 4.0.5 or 5.0.5. Those are the versions we recommend. Again, we always recommend the free Foxit reader program listed above before the Adobe Acrobat.

    Whatever version you choose, don't worry, they will work with all versions of Windows, not just Windows 98. Again, any version of Acrobat Reader will view our files without any problem, but the newer versions of the program offer some additional functions that you may like or not care about at all. Version 4.0.5 is all most people will ever need.

    If you have a slow Internet connection, this may be a better option for you. However, the newer versions of the Acrobat Reader program provide many more options. The choice is yours as to which version you install.

    Again, please note: Most computers already have a version of Acrobat Reader installed. You may not need to download it. So please download and see if you can view the sample MonkeyNote to validate your setup.

    Trouble Downloading PDF files?

    If you are having difficulty downloading or viewing PDF files, below are a few options to assist you:

      When accessing PDF files on the Web, you typically have two options: (1) open the PDF file within the browser window, or (2) open the PDF file in Acrobat Reader as a separate application. We recommend option (2) opening the PDF file in Acrobat Reader outside the browser window.  In order to confirm this setting, follow the steps below:

      • For Acrobat Version 2.0 - 4.0x:
        • Start Acrobat Reader 2.0 -4.0x.
        • In Acrobat Reader, choose File > Preferences > General.
        • Deselect Web Browser Integration in the Options area of the General Preferences dialog box.
        • Click OK, and then exit from the Acrobat Reader.
        • You may need to close and re-launch your browser for these changes to take effect.

      • For Acrobat Version 5.0x:
        • Start Acrobat Reader 5.0x.
        • In Acrobat Reader, choose Edit > Preferences > Options.
        • Deselect Display PDF in Browser in the Web Browser Options area.
        • Click OK, and then exit from the Acrobat Reader.
        • You may need to close and re-launch your browser for these changes to take effect.
      • If you are not sure what version of Acrobat Reader you are currently using reference:Verify that you have a current version of Adobe Acrobat Reader above.
      • Once these changes are made you may be prompted with a message stating "You have chosen to download a file from this location.  What would you like to do?". You may either: (1) Open the file from the current location or (2) Save the file to disk.  Note: there is a check box asking "Always ask before opening this type of file" - De-select this checkbox if you do not want to always be prompted with this option of launching or saving locally.
      • To continue to browse on the web you will need to return back to your web browser.

      Save PDF To Your PC

      To save the file to your local PC, this can normally be accomplished as follows:

      • Right click on the "download now" link.
      • Select "Save Target As" (Internet Explorer) or "Save Link As" (Netscape) when presented with a menu (If your mouse is configured for left handed operation use the left mouse button).
      • Use Adobe Acrobat Reader to open the file directly after downloading.
      If you followed the instructions and still have a problem with your download, please completely read the HELP/PROBLEMS section on this site. If that doesn't answer your questions, let us know by emailing support@pinkmonkey.com and we can email you the file as soon as possible (please include your order number and name in the email). If you do email us for help, please make sure that you are not blocking incoming emails (many AOL users have all incoming emails blocked) or you will never get our emails and we will have no way to help you. Please read the instructions completely and you will avoid the most common problems.       Back to the Top of the Page

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