Some of the information on this website is contained in PDF files. PDF stands for Portable Document Format, it is a distribution format that allows electronic information to be transferred between various types of computers.
In order to view and print a PDF file you will first need to download and install a copy of the Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Downloading Adobe Acrobat Reader
The Adobe Acrobat Reader is approximately 16mb. The time it will take to download the reader depends on the speed of the connection you have to the internet. Using a 56kb modem, it would take up to two hours, but if you have broadband connection it could take as little as two minutes.
You will only need to download the reader once, and the download process can be run in the background while you carry on with other tasks on your computer.
Go to the Adobe website
Approximate download times for PDF files
Below are the average download times for a 1mb (1000kb) PDF file for various common connection speeds:
- 4.30 minutes on a 56kb dial-up connection
- 2.20 minutes on a 128kb connection
- 34 seconds on a 512 ASDL connection
- Less than 6 seconds on broadband connections faster than 1mb
Download times will depend on your connection to the internet, how busy the website is and whether your computer automatically checks downloaded files for viruses.
Accessibility and PDF files
If you have a visual impairment and use a screen reader you can use Access Adobe to read PDFs.
Go to the Access Adobe website
Problems downloading PDF files
Some people have problems downloading PDFs. It might seem as though the PDF document freezes when it's being loaded, or it loads incomplete information or blank pages. Here are some suggestions that might help:
- Right-click the .pdf document link. (Mac users press CTRL and click the PDF link)
- from the pop-up menu select 'Save Target As ...' (some browsers may call the target 'link' or 'file' instead)
- a small window will open and you will be asked to select the location on your computer where you want to save the file
- select a location and click 'Save' or 'OK'. The PDF will be downloaded and saved on your computer
- once the file is saved you can simply double click on it to open using the Adobe Reader installed on your computer.
Virus checks
The Council provides downloadable documents and forms in PDF format because they are safer and less prone to viruses. However, you should ensure that you also check any files you download using a virus checker.