Downloadable Documents
Why, when and where to use them
- PowerPoint (ppt)
- MS Word (doc)
- MS Excel (xls)
- Adobe Acrobat (pdf)
Why not just web pages?
- needs to be portable
- needs to be read a number of times
- has charts, diagrams or illustrations that make migrating to the web difficult
- too long for the web
- no time to turn it into a web page
- content changes frequently
Finding a document standard
- The problem: Multiple AND incompatible document programs and formats
- The solution: Create a standard format for distributing documents online
Why PDF?
PDF means Portable Document Format and its name describes what it does pretty well.
- creates documents from many sources and programs
(word processing, web, spreadsheets, etc.)
- viewed using the FREE Adobe Acrobat Reader
- retains MOST formatting and look of original
- forms can be completed online and emailed or printed
Problems with PDF
- users must to have Acrobat Reader
- loses some formatting (PDF files retain most formatting done in the original document but not all)
- Always check the documents when migrating to another format or program
- not editable unless you have the full Adobe Acrobat program
Why MS Word?
- already created and formatted
- editable
Problems with MS Word
- users must to have MS Word
- document is editable (ie: it can be downloaded and edited for use elsewhere; it cannot be saved back to the server unless they have access to that server)
How to put documents online
- title should be descriptive and short
- send to rebecca.nida@okstate.edu
- give instructions where to link from
- send any accompanying text for the link
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