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Editorial opinion on Acrobat

photoaz
Registered: Aug 10 2007
Posts: 45
Answered

From just the number of views from posts on using information from spreadsheets and other posts in Layers Magazine Forums there is a very strong interest in this topic but very little information. From working with Adobe Acrobat for the last year in a real office workplace I may still feel that Acrobat is a strong tool but lacks the user friendly function for the users.

While it may be powerful with the use of Java Script most office workers (the real users of the program) do not have the background of computer programming. Plus those who work in large offices like a university who has ever contacted the IT department are lucky to get them to fix problems on the server let alone come up with code for simple things like email buttons or making a form function better.

If Adobe is planning to market to the office side they should at least listen more to the end users and set up section where a function could be requested and code written for download. Plus more attention should be paid for how the program is used in relation to other office programs to help with workflow, not slow it down.

Bill Guy

My Product Information:
LiveCycle Designer, Windows
George_Johnson
Expert
Registered: Jul 6 2008
Posts: 1876
photoaz wrote:
If Adobe is planning to market to the office side they should at least listen more to the end users and set up section where a function could be requested and code written for download.
Over the years a many people have responded in the various PDF-related forums to such requests for code, out of the goodness of their hearts. It often helps, but not always, given the limitations of the forum communications to understand the problem. Often, having a more complete understanding of what the user is trying to accomplish will lead to a much better approach and a more productive solution. But all of this takes time, and time is money. If developers need help with solutions, they should consider consulting professional solution providers if they can't get the help they seek from a forum. Several exist who can provide the type of help you describe. Adobe simply isn't in the business of providing this type of service. They provide the tools; someone else has to do the work.

George
lkassuba
ExpertTeam
Registered: Jun 28 2007
Posts: 3636
photoaz wrote:
If Adobe is planning to market to the office side they should at least listen more to the end users and set up section where a function could be requested and code written for download. Plus more attention should be paid for how the program is used in relation to other office programs to help with workflow, not slow it down.
In recognition of the need to listen to more to end users and receive product feedback, an new menu option has been introduced in Acrobat 9 called Adobe Product Improvement Program (APIP). This is located under the Help menu in the Acrobat 9 product family as well as Reader 9.

For more information check out Lori Defurio's blog [url=http://blogs.adobe.com/loridefurio/2008/06/adobe_product_i_1.php]Adobe Product Improvement Program - What is it?[/url]

Lori Kassuba is an AUC Expert and Community Manager for AcrobatUsers.com.

photoaz
Registered: Aug 10 2007
Posts: 45
Thanks Lori and this is a good start. I know Scott Kilby's blog has brought in a ton of suggestions for Photoshop and Lightroom. Maybe an added forum here for suggestions for those who don't have Acrobat 9 yet.

Bill Guy