I've never done research on this, so can't say what most people
want, but my personal perference (always dangerous to base decisions
on) is to open the PDF in the browser.

Most PDFs are rubbish in terms of content.  Users don't care to save
them, and don't want to have to delete a saved copy from their hard
disk.  Generally someone was too lazy to supply a web version of the
content, so the user has to endure a PDF version.

The download happens regardless of if the file is saved, or is simply
displayed.  Users need to know they are about to see a PDF prior to
clicking the link.  But don't make them go through another step of
asking if they want to view or save it.  They can save it easily
enough after viewing it in the browser.

That said, the one problem I find to viewing a PDF in the browser is
the struggle to search on keywords or view a table of contents. 
Everyone wants to scan long documents, and long PDFs don't allow
that in a browser.  All the more reason PDF versions of content
shouldn't be offered unless their is a specific need for a print
formated version of the content.


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Posted from the new ixda.org
http://www.ixda.org/discuss?post=31430


________________________________________________________________
Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)!
To post to this list ....... [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Unsubscribe ................ http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe
List Guidelines ............ http://www.ixda.org/guidelines
List Help .................. http://www.ixda.org/help

Reply via email to