New version features enhanced security features and improved interoperability.Adobe Systems Inc. has unveiled Adobe Reader 7.0 for the Linux operating system, citing the rate of Linux adoption as a major factor in putting support back into the Reader.
Reader 7.0 is free, universal client software that gives users the ability to view and navigate Adobe PDF files across operating systems, hardware and mobile device platforms. Adobe Reader 7.0 for Linux is expected to be available for download Tuesday at the Reader download site.
When combined with Adobe LiveCycle server software, the Reader for Linux gives users better capability to access and use content across multiple platforms, the company has said. Security features have also been built into the Reader, a major new element, according to Patrice Lagrange, Adobe's director for Linux market development and strategy.
Click here to read more about Version 7.0 of Reader.
"We knew we needed to bring up the capabilities of the Linux Reader, so we focused on interoperability and security," Lagrange said. "It was crucial that Linux users could comfortably work across platforms and not worry about security threats while doing it."
Adobe had included Linux support in Version 5 of its Reader, which was released in 2001. But such support was not included in Version 6, following two years later. The rate of adoption of the Linux operating system, especially among government entities and financial services organizations, convinced the company that putting Linux support back in its Version 7.0 would be well-received.
"Linux on the desktop side is very emerging," said Lagrange. "But the Reader and the PDF have been widely used among Linux users, so we feel they'll welcome the arrival of 7.0."
The Reader announcement was accompanied by endorsements from Red Hat Inc. and Novell Inc., which each expressed eagerness to extend 7.0's capability to customers. Adobe Reader is one of the primary tools used between Novell Linux Desktop users and Windows users, noted Ed Anderson, vice president of product marketing for Novell's platforms group.
He added that having enterprise software vendors like Adobe join Novell in supporting the Linux desktop will broaden the capability of Linux and give more choices to enterprise customers.
