CNET Editors' review
Cool PDF Reader provides users with a fast and easy way of viewing PDF files. With simple controls and some added benefits, this program is a fine alternative to more popular programs like Acrobat.
The program's interface shouldn't take too much work to understand, since its tightly packed command icons all come with descriptions when the mouse rolls over them. This is fortunate, since the program's online Help file is a confusing maze that we could never sort out. The program begins with users selecting a PDF by using a standard file tree search method. The document opens on the screen clearly, with a single page view. We were pleased to discover zooming in and out, as well as cycling the pages forward and backward was a single mouse click operation on the main screen, though we could not input a specific page to jump to (users must go into a menu for that function). One interesting aspect of the viewer was its Slide Show option, which automatically turns the pages for the user. Overall, the program functioned as we wanted, providing a comparable alternative to Acrobat. The program's most useful feature was its ability to convert PDFs to a number of other formats. To do so, users simply Save As and choose between TXT, BMP, JPG, GIF, PNG, WMF and more file types.
By offering a fast and simple way to view and convert PDFs, this freeware program is certain to find fans among users looking for an alternative to Acrobat.
Publisher's Description
From PDF2EXE Software:
Cool PDF Reader is the world's smallest PDF viewer and PDF reader to view and print PDF files, and convert PDF's to TXT, BMP, JPG, GIF, PNG, WMF, EMF, EPS. It is only 650KB to download and doesn't need lengthy installation, just download, unzip, and run. Features View and Print PDF Convert PDF to BMP, JPG, GIF, PNG, WMF, EMF, EPS Extract PDF to TXT Support PDF's of all versions Zoom in and Zoom out Rotate page displays Slide show PDF document.
Version 3.0.0.128 adds support for mouse drag and pan view, and is compatible with Windows 7 and Windows Vista (32-bit and 64-bit).
What's new in this version: Version 3.0.0.128 adds support for mouse drag and pan view, and is compatible with Windows 7 and Windows Vista.
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All versions:
3.1 starsout of 41 votes
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Current version:
2.8 starsout of 20 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"would not convert to txt"
Version: Cool PDF Reader 3.0.0.128
Pros
not sure!!
Cons
attempted to convert pdf file. checked for instructions. none found. saved to txt. opened notepad. no results. tried 3 times with same result.
Summary
doesn't save to txt
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"Converting 1 page at a time works like a charm"
Version: Cool PDF Reader 3.0.0.128
Pros
Easy to convert individual PDF pages to JPGs
Cons
Not for large jobs.
Summary
I wanted a free product that would convert an encrypted PDF to a Word document. Tried and failed with the top 10 free products on CNET. However, with this product, I could view each page and then save each page to a JPG which would be copied into word, formatted as a background image, and then used as desired. For a small job, this was easy to use and did the job for free.
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"Lack of features"
Version: Cool PDF Reader 3.0.0.128
Pros
Easy, lightweight and fast
Cons
No scrolling, no automatic zoom. Horrible layout. Ridiculous shortcuts (space for next, backspace for previous) instead of arrow key support
Summary
I'm reinstalling adobe reader....
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"No good for me"
Version: Cool PDF Reader 3.0.0.128
Pros
I' sure it's great for pictures and small files
Cons
When you zoom in on a word file, like an ebook, you lose over half the page. Has no slider to get to the things you just lost. Pages start too small to read
Summary
Depending on what you do with it, this may work for you. I like to read ebooks in pdf format unfortunately, and this program does not have what I look for in a pdf reader. I don't like the idea of wasting my time with products that are severely flawed, as my time is too important to me
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"It's ok.seems slow"
Version: Cool PDF Reader 3.0.0.128
Pros
It works and it has simple instructions
Cons
It doesn't seem 'polished' like adobe. If you want the pdf bigger you hit the "+" and wait 20 seconds or so.
Summary
I'm not impressed
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"Doesn't open with Window 2000"
Version: Cool PDF Reader 3.0.0.128
Pros
Error message
Cons
Doesn't open with Window 2000
Summary
Doesn't open with Window 2000
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"Small program but lacks required features"
Version: Cool PDF Reader 3.0.0.128
Pros
It occupies very little space on the computer. It does open pdf.
Cons
Can't scroll down the page, print a separate page. Get error messages from Windows when I try to open a saved file.
Summary
I've just installed Nitro's reader, which although much larger, does actually seem to do the jobs I want.
CoolPDF is just too limited, which is a shame, as the idea is good; sadly the execution is poor.
When opening a saves pdf I get the error message that this is not a Win32 app, whatever that means. -
"Great for smaller PDFs...."
Version: Cool PDF Reader 3.0.0.128
Pros
Tiny file size, It loads fast, looks great, and I've had no compatibility issues whatsoever.. BUT...
Cons
IT HAS NO "SEARCH" FEATURE!!! NO "FIND IN PAGE" FEATURE!!!
The lack of this one simple, yet extremely crucial feature for me might be a killer, causing me to uninstall it and use something else instead.Summary
-IF- it had a FIND IN PAGE/keyword search feature, it'd be damn near perfect.
But it doesn't, so if you only look at smaller documents of only a couple pages- it's probably just right for you.
If you look at PDFs that are several pages long, trying to find a particular word or phrase will be like searching for a needle in a haystack. PASS. -
"Not Very Good"
Version: Cool PDF Reader 3.0.0.128
Pros
It installed.
Cons
I found the GUI difficult to work with, and overall an unimpressive choice.
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"Locks up my computer"
Version: Cool PDF Reader 3.0.0.128
Pros
None, it doesn't work
Cons
Tried to open a PDF file created using Cute PDF Writer with this Cool PDF Reader application. It wouldn't work and the app just freezes and causes my computer to lock up. Had to kill the program. The same PDF opens fine in FoxIt PDF Reader.
Summary
Don't waste your time, it doesn't work.
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