Adobe Acrobat

Introduction

Adobe Acrobat is a family of application software and web services developed by Adobe to view, create, manipulate, print and manage files in PDF. The family comprises Acrobat Reader (formerly Reader), Acrobat (formerly Exchange) and Acrobat.com.

History

Adobe Acrobat was first released by Adobe Systems in 1993. Adobe has released several versions of Acrobat since its inception, each time adding new features and improving functionality.

Adobe Acrobat Family

The Adobe Acrobat family consists of:

Adobe Acrobat Reader: A freeware program that allows users to open, view, and print PDF files. It is available for several desktop and mobile platforms.
Adobe Acrobat Pro: A paid application that includes all the features of Acrobat Reader, plus additional tools to create and edit PDF files. It also includes features to digitally sign documents, collaborate with others, and secure sensitive information.
Adobe Acrobat Standard: A less feature-rich version of Acrobat Pro, but still more advanced than Acrobat Reader. It is only available for Windows.
Adobe Acrobat Pro DC: The most feature-rich version of Acrobat, which also includes cloud-based functionality.

Features

Adobe Acrobat includes a wide range of features that allow users to create, edit, and manage PDF files. Some of these features include:

PDF Creation: Adobe Acrobat can create PDF files from a variety of sources, including Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, and web pages. Users can also scan physical documents to create PDF files.
PDF Editing: Acrobat allows users to edit text and images in PDF files, rearrange pages, and add comments and annotations.
Document Security: Acrobat includes features to protect sensitive information in PDF files. Users can password-protect files, redact sensitive information, and add digital signatures.
Collaboration Tools: Acrobat includes several tools to collaborate with others on PDF files. Users can share files, collect feedback, and track progress on shared documents.
Form Creation and Data Collection: Acrobat allows users to create fillable forms and collect data from respondents. Data can be exported for analysis in other applications.
Accessibility Features: Acrobat includes several features to make PDF files more accessible to people with disabilities. These include text-to-speech, alternative text for images, and tools to check and fix accessibility issues.

Usage

Adobe Acrobat is used in a wide range of industries and professions. Some common uses include:

Business: Businesses use Acrobat to create and distribute documents, collect data from customers, and collaborate on projects.
Education: Teachers and students use Acrobat to create and share educational materials, collect assignments, and provide feedback.
Government: Government agencies use Acrobat to create and distribute public documents, collect data from citizens, and ensure document accessibility.
Legal: Law firms use Acrobat to create and manage legal documents, redact sensitive information, and collect electronic signatures.
Healthcare: Healthcare providers use Acrobat to create and manage patient records, collect data from patients, and ensure document accessibility.

Criticisms and Controversies

While Adobe Acrobat is a widely used and respected tool, it has faced some criticisms and controversies. Some users have complained about the high cost of the software, especially for the Pro versions. Others have raised concerns about security issues, especially related to the use of JavaScript in PDF files. Adobe has addressed some of these concerns in updates and new versions of the software.