PDF (Portable Document Format) files are files that have been created by a program called Adobe Acrobat. PDF files have rapidly become a standard format on the internet because they allow preservation of all the fonts, formatting, graphics, and color of any source document, regardless of the application and platform used to create it. It's a great technology - basically the Acrobat program takes a 'picture' of a document. That 'picture' can then be shared via the internet or email and, no matter what type of computer they are using, whoever sees it is seeing exactly what was written/designed.

You do need a specific program to read PDF files. It is a free program entitled Acrobat Reader. Acrobat Reader is available at a number of sites including the Adobe website. The following have been selected because of the ease of downloading. To download Acrobat Reader for your computer click on the following links:

Adobe Acrobat for Windows

Adobe Acrobat for Mac

There are a few discrepancies between various versions of Adobe Acrobat. If you are having a problem opening a PDF file you may need an updated version of Acrobat.

The Icarus Project is a non-profit community based website, support network, and underground media project created by and for people struggling with bipolar disorder and other dangerous gifts that are commonly labeled as mental illnesses. They believe that when we learn to take care of ourselves, the intertwined threads of madness and creativity can be tools of inspiration and hope in a repressed and damaged world.

The Homeless Nation's resource page has a listing of resources available in various locations across the country.

"The Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic (CIPPIC) was established in fall of 2003 at the University of Ottawa, Faculty of Law, Common Law Section. CIPPIC seeks to ensure balance in policy and law-making processes on issues that arise as a result of new technologies. Clinic counsel work with upper year law students on projects and cases involving the intersection of law, technology and the public interest."

The e-ForAll website is "dedicated to documenting interventions that make use of ICTs to help combat poverty. The predominant focus is on State interventions but private enterprise and civil society are also acknowledged."

Blogs are a computer term for Web Logs, which could be described as an online diary of sorts. Last month we highlighted TheHomelessGuy.net. This month were highlighting a blog a PovNet reader from Kelowna has started. If you'd like to start a Blog there are a number of free websites that allow you to do that. You can create one by visiting Blog*Spot or Blog City.

The DisAbled Women's Network (DAWN) of Ontario's website has a number of computer tips including one to help update Microsoft Windows. Covering things from basic computer operation, emailing, to FTP and keyboard shortcuts this Technology Info, Tips, FAQs You Can Use page is a recommended one to bookmark for personal computers as well as public access computer sites.