1. The Five Tigers of PDF Readers count every crime

Adobe’s PDF format is the de facto standard electronic document and has been widely used in e-books, product descriptions, printing and publishing. . Since last year, the PDF format has become an international standard. In July 2008, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) passed its review as an international standard. This year our National Standardization Management Committee also approved the national standard for electronic document storage in PDF format, which will be officially implemented on September 1, 2009. There are more and more PDF readers for you to choose from widely used PDF documents, completely changing the previous dilemma of only one official Adobe Reader available for readers.

Of course, as the inventor and promoter of PDF, Adobe Reader is not officially a scrap. However, the most criticized aspects of Adobe Reader are, first, slow startup, which is a useful addition to a bunch of useless load control. Another point is that it is bloated and consumes a lot of resources. The most terrible thing is its practicality and efficiency. This is Not proportional, for example, comments etc. are not supported. Therefore, we have enough reasons to give up Adobe Reader and choose third-party PDF reading software with better performance to replace it. In comparison, third-party products are not only powerful in function, but also smaller in size and run faster, which is definitely the choice of users.

Today, the editor selects five commonly used free PDF readers at home and abroad for horizontal evaluation, and selects the most appropriate PDF reader for the majority of users.

A brief introduction to the five software is as follows:

Foxit Reader: Many users think this is foreign software, but in fact it is completely made in China and is currently the only country developed with independent intellectual property rights. PDF reader has the characteristics of small size, fast speed and rich functions.

PDF-XChange Viewer: A rising star, it is quite popular abroad. Due to its fast update speed and very rich content, it has become increasingly popular in China recently.

Expert PDF Reader: Although it is not well-known in China, it is also a relatively popular PDF reader abroad.

Sumatra PDF: The only open source PDF reader, green, compact, simple and practical.

Cool PDF Reader: Known as the smallest reader, it supports PDF document reader browsing.

Note: During the test, five people selected the official publicly available free software version, as well as all the latest official versions. In addition to Cool PDF Reader and Expert PDF Reader, Simplified Chinese interface is supported. Also, for convenience period, the software names mentioned below are abbreviated as Foxit, PDF-XChange, Expert, Sumatra, Coolpad PDF.

2. Test environment and test environment evaluation project

Test document:

Test project

A. Capacity: divided into two parts : The hard disk space occupied by the installation program itself and the reading ability after installation.

B. Resources: divided into two situations: static and dynamic. The former is the beginning, which means the resources after the memory consumed when reading the PDF document.

C. Speed: Also contains two children of the test, namely software startup speed and the loading time it takes to open a PDF document.

D. Display: Whether the British content is displayed in high quality in the document.

E. Ease of use: Mainly check the software interface layout, provide browsing mode, and user experience.

Low screen word acquisition: The main consideration is that mainstream electronic dictionary reading tools can capture translation files.

G. Editing function: Since this type of editor is relatively large, the editor chose to use two functions: extensive tagging and file conversion for project evaluation.

1) Document conversion/import and export: whether the original PDF file can be converted to other file formats.

2) Annotation function: supports tags and specific implementation methods in tags.

Attachment: An exclusive interview with the creativity of Foxit Reader on the ability of products with independent intellectual property rights to compete

Linglong’s figure and software testing

Resource 1, Software Capabilities: Observe the capabilities of the installer itself after reading the installation and occupied hard drive space (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Software capacity statistics

Comments: Compared to the official Adobe Reader, the reader is bloated, involving five readers who commented whether it was during the installation process or after Installations that take up all hard drive space are lightweight. Among the five software, although PDF-XChange occupies a relatively large capacity, its installation is very user-friendly and involves some installed components, in addition to the main program, the upgrade process, browser plug-ins, extensions, language packs and help files It is an optional installation item. Removing these components can save at least 14MB of space. Coolpad PDF is currently the smallest PDF reading program worth a single file, only 650KB.

2. Resource consumption: Multiple observations of resource consumption under this small series of static and dynamic conditions. The former refers to the reader not executing the PDF document browsing operation after starting it, while the latter refers to the documents occupied after loading. In the case of resources, the document type is purely optional and the second image file (original Transformers live-action movie biography comic) and after performing a browse operation, the page display ratio is 100% and its memory usage is observed after Unity View 10. For more reliable data, each reader test is performed three times, and the data of the last three times is averaged.

Comments: There is no doubt that both Foxit and Cool PDF Reader consume the most economical memory resources, and the two test data are ideal (Figure 2). For dynamic testing, the most common point among the five readers is that as the number of pages is read, memory consumption will gradually increase, and the overall question is how much it rises. In addition to Foxit and Cold PDF formats, which change little for the other three readers, dynamic memory consumption is proportional to the number of web pages and views read, the more it takes up.

Figure 2: Comparison table resource consumption

3. What you want to kill everything is speed

Speed ??test: One *** has two parts of the test : The startup speed of the software itself and when files are loaded.

Startup speed: In this test, when the small stopwatch is not running, just go through your own direct experience. Because the startup speed of these five readers is very fast, they are basically instant kills. Except for Micro Expert, which is slightly slower (general reading, it is estimated to complete the boot in about 3 seconds), the other four can double-click the shortcut to immediately start displaying the main interface.

File loading speed: The loading speed of the five readers is satisfactory, almost all points are now, three types of files can be used for instant testing, showing no delay in front of the editor. Regardless of Zhang Guoliang 3 storytelling, or the 35MB capacity transformer 363 live-action movie prequel comic, it can be displayed instantly and can be displayed normally when switched to any page randomly.

Because the result of this round of testing was that there was no separation, Xiao was unwilling to re-create the PDF document of comic 256 "Transformers - Heroes" with a capacity of 100MB and re-test. The final test results show that the loading speed of most PDFs is not affected, and the loading speed of five readers is still very fast, with almost no sluggishness felt.

Finally, the editor's test with poor desktop configuration (see the specific configuration of the test environment) is compatible. The results show that the startup speed/document loading speed has little relationship between the two speeds of the machine configuration. Significantly only delayed 256 "Transformers - Heroes in Memory" will appear with a slight delay before a single page display appears, showing a blank followed by a quick display. This does not happen with the other three files. It should also be mentioned that when the page slowly switches between each other, the response of the page in the browser is cool PDF format. Each page has a slight pause and rapid flipping. If it is continuous, it is easy to appear temporarily inactive. Respond to reader false conditions.

Comment: The fifth-speed reader can be said to be quite satisfactory, both in terms of startup speed and document loading speed. The overall quality of the machine configuration does not have much impact on startup and loading and is basically negligible. The cool PDF format problem also appeared on the two test machines, and it is estimated that there may be compatibility issues with Windows7.

4. Protect eyesight from the beginning

Display clarity: For those who read documents frequently, presentation has a considerable impact, both good and bad. The editor here chooses the same Chinese segment and uses the same 100% ratio to observe the five card reader displays. This shows the effect of the four software in Figure 3 - Figure 6, followed by Foxit, PDF-XChange, Expert, and Sumatra. The Cool PDF format that failed this test had some compatibility issues with Chinese documents and the file couldn't be part of the graphics display, so it was finally given a test.

Figure 3: Foxit Software Display

Figure 4: PDF-XChange Display

Figure 5: Expert Display

Figure 6 :Sumatra Display

Test results: The editor selected some colleagues and friends and asked them to observe the impact of these readers. Basically, they agreed that the comparison between PDF-XChange Viewe and Sumatra PDF format was clearly displayed. The effect, although the color is lighter than the former, is the best in English.

Who has read five of the most intimate views, compared to Playboy?

Ease of use: Mainly check the software interface layout, provide browsing mode, and some more intimate user experiences.

A, Foxit (Figure 7): When tab mode is supported, you can open multiple documents in the same interface at the same time, while providing a single open, double open, continuous, and continuous facing Four-page layout, and provides toolbar zoom display ratio to quickly adjust tool page display, and provides page rotation/reversal, ruler and other display functions. In addition, there are convenient flip buttons to manually set bookmarks, breakpoint reading (the default is not turned on, you need to set it for yourself), and many other user-friendly features like lazy auto-scrolling.

Figure 7: Foxit software main interface

B, PDF-XChange (Figure 8): Generally speaking, it is very similar to Foxit, whether it is the interface layout or browsing operate. It also supports breakpoint reading function, which can automatically display the last closed position and page.

Figure 8: PDF-XChange Viewer main interface

C, Expert: supports multiple tags and 4 page layouts, while providing zoom, zoom, full-screen display, etc., and provides Corresponding toolbar buttons and shortcut page turning keys. You can also manually set bookmarks, which supports interface skin and is the only reader that can be changed.

D, Sumatra (Figure 9): It does not support multiple tabs and supports a four-page layout, but the adjusted cross-page layout does not provide shortcuts or tool buttons, and can only be executed through the menu, which is very uncomfortable. convenient. Only browsing operations such as flipping and zooming are provided on the toolbar. In addition, the software supports full screen display and zooming, which can be performed through menus. Supports breakpoint reading function.

Figure 9: Sumatra main interface

E, cool PDF: relatively simple, but the most common flip and zoom functions, such as browsing operations, are basically nothing, but there is a "slideshow" The "Movie Show" function is similar to the mini mode in some audio playback software. It only provides a toolbar at the bottom to control browsing and reading of PDF documents.

Comments: From the perspective of overall usability and user experience details, Foxit PDF-XChange is the best among the five (Table 1). Various display and browsing auxiliary operations can satisfy users. The reading made the overall experience quite good.

6. Instant translation, take over the world by looking at foreign words from the dictionary

Word translation: Many users may need to refer to foreign language materials, so it is inevitable to resort to the use of electronic dictionaries Word Translation works, so the following quiz tests what parts of the reader support Capture Electronic Dictionary functionality well.

Test method: A functional test by using three mainstream electronic dictionary tools: Kingsoft PowerWord and Youdao Desktop Dictionary to capture the support of 5 readers in this aspect of Lingus PowerWord (including the latest version). The test document is Foxit Reader 3.0, manual (Chinese and English), page 5, paragraph 2 (Figure 10).

Figure 10: Screen content

Test results are used for: Except for Foxit and PDF-XChange, others do not support document capture of electronic dictionaries.

Comment: The electronic dictionary tool, from each of the three cases tested, the overall effect of PDF-XChange is better than Foxit. Three electronic dictionaries can open the document and retrieve words for them, but PDF-XChange's fast response to retrieve words basically refers to translation, but Foxit's response is slow in one paragraph, with obvious delays.

7. Information extraction, I can do it to my heart's content

File conversion/export: View PDF documents, many of my friends see useful information and very much hope to save these elements Extracted separately. This test is to see if Reader supports parts of converting PDF documents into other formats, or if it can extract saved parts, such as image formats, text, etc.

1. Text selection: Foxit, PDF-XChange, Expert. These three readers provide text selection functions. You can easily copy out text to PDF files and scroll subtitle text directly in Foxit. (Figure 11), which is more convenient to use and operate. In addition, it should be mentioned that the PDF-XChange PDF document conversion can be saved as an image file (supports 15 major image formats), all pages can be, or specified pages.

Figure 11: Foxit scrolling subtitle text copy

2. Snapshot tool: In fact, for the screenshot function, select screenshot to clipboard. And text selection is just because only Foxit, PDF-XChange, Expert these three readers support. In terms of operation, Foxit is the best. After executing the snapshot function, you can directly select the complete copy with the mouse (Figure 12). The other two require manual copying of commands in the selection area.

Figure 12: Foxit Snapshot

3. Export of table data: This function is relatively bleak. Only Foxit’s PDF-XChange supports it and can export table data. Both Or import data into PDF forms.

Comments: This test can only be said to be an expert competition between Foxit and PDF-XChange. It can be said that between Foxit and PDF-XChange, in terms of some details of the transaction on paper, the former is better than Yizhangluo, it is more convenient to operate and has a better user experience; while the latter has an additional function of "export as picture". If You compare the image export function and need the natural choice of PDF-XChange, the former editor recommended to choose or other methods.

8. Close contact with interactive PDF document annotation function

Everywhere: Document annotation is a good habit to highlight or add comments to the standard, To help quickly locate important positions in the future, re-read and understand. Therefore, the editor's readers commented on some functions as key items for evaluation.

Before the formal evaluation, first do a simple screening test. Before other projects, the editor has found that Sumatra and Cool PDF have a single function and are only suitable for simple reading and not suitable for users with other needs. The remaining three tools, experts point out, are relatively simple and almost negligible, and the real battle is solely between Foxit and PDF-XChange.

So, let’s take a look at how they compete!

Foxit Reader: By category, annotation tools to text annotation, graphic labeling, typewriter tools to measure these four, except for the first one, all the remaining fees are Pro functions, although the free version is also Can be used normally, but if comments are saved, the file adds a prompt like, "This page has been edited using Foxit Reader" (Figure 13). Through testing, the note-taking software for China supports a variety of fonts, colors, sizes, etc., and of course, these opinions can also be stored directly in PDF. Alternatively, you can separate note export and import operations.

Figure 13: Foxit software adds annotation prompts to save the report

PDF-XChange Viewe: The annotation function and provides Foxit are basically the same, but the details are significantly improved than it. First of all, these features are completely free, and there is no save prompt after adding a similar statement to Foxit's phenomenon which is unique to this editor like PDF-XChange. In addition, the software provides a good feature, annotation management function, provided comment list, hide/show annotation (annotation type can be shown/hidden) function (Figure 14, Figure 15). In addition, it also supports importing and exporting functional comments, and the support for China is also perfect.

Figure 14: PDF-XChange annotation management

Figure 15: PDF-XChange comment function in the application part

Comments: Obviously noticed this review, PDF-XChange really wins. Although the comment function of Foxit Reader is not weak, but no comparison is considered to be better for users. The comment fee of three and four functions does not affect the use, but I believe no one wants to stay in their own small file advertisements.

Nine, what is the editor’s finale?

Horizontal evaluation summary: After these days of evaluation, I have a detailed understanding of these small PDF readers. Five Readers, Sumatra and Cool PDF Reader are really, they only provide reading function, all other additional features are non-existent. Of the two, the former is more suitable for reading and only needs a friend to use it. It has clear display, complete browsing functions, actual breakpoint reading function, and supports files that are beneficial to China. The interface also supports China, and the latter although it is the smallest The reader is too simple, but the compatibility with China is not low and the memory footprint is not enough.

After completing the two simplest readers above, let’s talk about the remaining three. I believe that many users still need certain editing functions, especially notes, so these three are more suitable. The overall evaluation results are comparable between the two Foxit PDF-XChanges, with their strengths and weaknesses.

However, if we have to let the editor choose, and then choose PDF-XChange, it is mainly based on two points. One is to display clearly and take a long-term view of things. I believe no one will choose to let us eye products; secondly, due to its powerful annotation function, some netizens can realize and fully interact with PDF documents.

However, if you don’t need to worry about a lot of resource consumption and annotation functions, then Foxit is your choice. Everyone leaves at the reader's choice, or according to their own actual situation. As experts have nothing to say, excellent, very embarrassing software is not in all respects. Compared with Foxit PDF-XChange, the gap is not small. It is not the most suitable ratio that only needs to be read by users to browse.

Top 10 Most Common Online PDF Reader Services

I believe that after you read these comments, you want to use some of my heart-shaped PDF readers at the bottom. However, some friends may want to ask, if I want to view only a temporary PDF file, or do not want to install any reader system, is there any way to solve the problem of the PDF reader? For these users, the editor here recommends using online PDF reader services. Currently, free services generally have the following websites.

SamurajData: A very good online PDF reader that can be used without registration. It is relatively simple to use, you only need to enter the PDF file link and click "View" to support full-screen reading. Of course, the website also supports local file upload speeds and the upload/conversion process is pretty good too. In addition, SamurajData also supports online reading of Word documents and PostScript. However, the biggest flaw for domestic users is that it does not support Chinese characters and will cause processing failures.

PdfMeNot: The editor recommends an online PDF reader, which supports perfect support for Simplified China and supports local online PDF documents and uploaded files. Provides basic read operations such as scaling and flipping (Figure 16). In addition, it can also provide an independent URL address and some JS code for each PDF file, allowing you to share or otherwise call it with others at any time.

Figure 16: PdfMeNot Reading Display Interface

Google Docs (Google Docs): Although Google's online document processing service, we can work around it and use it to read PDF documents, The effect, as well as the two basic websites to go online (Figure 17). Google Docs provides two display modes, supports operations such as method, zoom out, flip, and text search, and has perfect support for Chinese characters and maximum document sharing. However, PDF documents contain capacity limits, with a maximum of 10MB for local uploads and 2MB for uploads from the network.

Figure 17: GoogleDocs used

Three online services, the editor personally likes Google Docs very much, because Google usually uses more online services, so it is more convenient to use them, but It also supports document sharing and has a wider range of applications than browsing PDF documents.