What's a P.D.F.
A PDF, 'Portable Document Format', stores a document so that ino matter what computer it's opened on it will look the same. To view pdfs you use a freely supplied viewer (called a 'reader'). Adobe developed and marketed this format so that:

• Users on different systems, i.e. PC's and Mac's, could access the same files
• To produce an uneditable document format with would look and print the same on all computers

It is now an Industry Standard program and widely used around the world.

Installing Adobe Acrobat reader
If your computer doesn't open the files marked with the then probably haven't a reader installed. It's easy to do but if you don't feel confident about installing software always ask for support from IT.

The follow the link from this icon to Adobe and download Adobe Acrobat reader. Once it's downloaded double click on it to begin installation, follow the instructions answering yes and next as appropriate until your informed there's been a successful install. Assuming everything went well, you should now have the reader successfully installed and because it runs automatically you can forget it's there.

Using Adobe Acrobat Reader
Below is an interactive picture of Adobe Acrobat Reader V4, but don't worry which version you have most of this information will help you. Please move your mouse over the words to learn more about their functions, to learn more once you've opened a Acrobat Document check out the help function on it's menu bar.