Foxit Reader's stupid update system

[mikeymikec]

It used to be a great little PDF reader - a single executable with a reasonably easy-to-use update system (which could have been made simpler, but at least it was a few clicks and then the job was done).

Then along came v4 or v5, I can't remember which, and an update system which rivals having to uninstall the software yourself and then install it from scratch (as in, the process is almost identical). I contacted Foxit Software at this point pointing out how stupid this was. They "took it under advisement".

Today I got an 'update ready' message from Foxit Reader after opening a PDF. It updated itself nicely, hardly any trouble at all, no questions asked. Then I found that it had changed the IE home page to Ask and attempted to install add-ons in IE and FF.

Argh.

 

[jkroeder]

Give SumtraPDF a try

http://blog.kowalczyk.info/software/sumatrapdf/download-free-pdf-viewer.html

 

[lxskllr]

You could also try Evince. Evince is a huge executable, but it works well. It's my favorite client on GNU/Linux, but they also have one for Windows.

 

[mikeymikec]

Give SumtraPDF a try

http://blog.kowalczyk.info/software/sumatrapdf/download-free-pdf-viewer.html

I was about to ask "the source code is very nice, but where can I download a binary", then realised that I had to enable JavaScript What a bizarre site design - it looks so basic that the thought of it needing JavaScript didn't occur to me.

 

[ninaholic37]

Give SumtraPDF a try

http://blog.kowalczyk.info/software/sumatrapdf/download-free-pdf-viewer.html

I was sort of iffy about Foxit Reader too, so I tried this one out on a few files and liked it so far. Uninstalled Adobe Acrobat X (476MB vs 8MB for Sumtra) and now have my pdfs associated with it. Thanks for the link/suggestion.

 

[MontyAC]

I updated my Foxit Reader and "ask" did not automatically load or took over as default search engine.

 

[mikeymikec]

I updated my Foxit Reader and "ask" did not automatically load or took over as default search engine.

It didn't on Firefox on my setup, but it attempted to install the Foxit PDF Creator toolbar in both IE and FF.

 

[MontyAC]

Ok, Good thing I only use Firefox.

 

[mikeymikec]

I started IE shortly after the update went on because logitech.co.uk seemed to have a long delay before fully rendering the page in one go in Firefox - That's when I encountered the browser defacement (IE).

FFS - I just noticed the Foxit plugin that's been installed in Firefox.


SumatraPDF - I'm giving it a try, it's nice and quick, the only thing is that Adobe Reader's small font rendering is far superior to any other PDF reader I've tried on Windows. I hate having to untangle it from the browser though.

 

[Chiefcrowe]

I like sumatra so far, and I am looking forward to when firefox gets a built in pdf reader.

 

[lxskllr]

I like sumatra so far, and I am looking forward to when firefox gets a built in pdf reader.

I don't like in browser pdf viewing. The plugins I've used haven't been as good as a standalone viewer.

Edit:
Here's a link to Evince...

http://projects.gnome.org/evince/

It's a beefy download at 32mb, but has more features than Sumatra, but is still quite a bit lighter than Adobe. It's libre software, so no worries about BS addons, or other crap you can get from freeware. Sumatra is libre also, but a bit light. I use that as a portable viewer.

 

[MrK6]

I used to use Foxit when I used Firefox (3-4 years ago). Too bad it went south. Now I use Chrome's built in viewer and it does everything I need.

 

[SonicIce]

guess ill throw my suggestion in here, PDF-XChange Viewer
http://www.tracker-software.com/product/pdf-xchange-viewer
it has many download options. one of the few, if not the only one left, with a no-installation portable zip package

Foxit used to be good and it was my primary pdf reader. then they sold out and forced you to install some add-ons or toolbars. time to jump ship if you haven't already

 

[Pretty Cool]

PDF-XChange Viewer's update process is the same as Foxit: uninstalls itself and then installs a new version. At least that is what happened when I updated it within the last couple days.

 

[jhansman]

I still use Foxit, because it's tabbed and still loads faster than Adobe Reader. It has become bloated, however, and I miss the days when it was just a quick little reader.

 

[Jeff7]

I still use Foxit, because it's tabbed and still loads faster than Adobe Reader. It has become bloated, however, and I miss the days when it was just a quick little reader.

The entire executable fit on a single floppy disk at one point.
And even then I think it could still load faster than Acrobat Reader.

 

[Pretty Cool]

Sumatra is a little too barebones for my tastes. I was hoping that Nitro PDF Reader would be a good alternative as it has some nice features. Too bad it is relatively sluggish. I am getting tired of Foxit and might just use PDF-XChange Viewer as the default reader.

 

[gmaster456]

I still use and love Foxit. It does everything I need and I install it on new machines and any machine that needs a PDF reader. I haven't had any issues with it.

 

[Albatross]

You still can uninstall that stupid toolbar from add/remove(Foxit toolbar something),if that continues though I`ll jump ship.