The file format is not proprietary, you can download from the Adobe web
site a very complete manual that describes every aspect of the PDF file
format. Other companies implement PDF writing/reading. Actually the free
source program Ghostscript can display and manipulate PDF.
You are right about searching though. Web search engines can index PDF but
otherwise it is not possible to jump directly to a word. I'm sure it would
be possible though. I'll look into this.
Chris
At 11:37 AM 6/28/99 -0500, you wrote:
>>So is the PDF reader (and searchable reader)
>
>The reader is free, the proprietary file format isn't. Also, Acrobat is only
>searchable from within Acrobat. There is no way to start Acrobat with a
>search for an external program. If it did that (or if it does that and I'm
>not aware of it), then it would be fine. Maybe there is a way? Do you know
>of one? If I'm in my editor (whatever that may be, on Unix, Win, or Mac),
>and I want to quickly look up the parameters for DmDatabaseInfo, I just want
>to be able to park my cursor on the function, hit a key, and have WHATEVER
>bring up the documentation for DmDatabaseInfo. I don't want to have to find
>Acrobat among my dozen running programs, bring up the search dialog, and
>type the function name in again (ok, I'm lazy, but it's one less place for
>me to goof up). Then, chances are that the first search is going to bring up
>some other reference to DmDatabaseInfo, and maybe another, until I finally
>get to the actual definition. If Acrobat could jump directly to the
>definition (maybe by jumping to whatever keyword has been copied into the
>clipboard, etc???) then I would be a happy camper.
>
---
Christian Vandendorpe ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
http://www.zorglub.com
