PDF Viewer

PDF Viewer is an interesting piece of software, but here's the catch: it can't open PDF files on its own. You need to install GhostScript first for it to work properly. Surprised? Yeah, we were too!

What is GhostScript?

So, what exactly is GhostScript? It's a program that helps with reading PDFs and PostScripts. Basically, it includes different interpreters and procedures that let applications like PDF Viewer show PDF content to you.

Is PDF Viewer Right for You?

If you're looking for quick and easy software, PDF Viewer might not be your best bet. Sure, you can use it if you’ve already got GhostScript installed, but if not, there are better options out there. For a reliable experience, consider installing Adobe Reader, or check out lighter alternatives like Foxit Reader, PDF-XChange Viewer, or SumatraPDF.

User Experience with PDF Viewer

If you decide to go with Dirk Paehl’s PDF Viewer anyway, just know that it has a pretty simple interface and not many features. You can set it as your default app for opening PDFs through the ‘Option’ menu.

The Downsides of PDF Viewer

But here's the thing: PDF Viewer doesn't really stand out in any way. It also can't open PDFs directly in your web browser since there's no special extension available for that.

Final Thoughts on PDF Viewer

To wrap things up, while PDF Viewer does have its uses, it's definitely not the top choice in its category. The biggest downside? You need to install GhostScript beforehand which can be a hassle. If you’re not planning on doing that, then look elsewhere because this isn’t going to meet your needs.

You can find more about this software in the Open PDF collection.