Cool new tool

So I have this new program on my computer that I think is just awesome so I wanted to share. It is called the PDF X-Change Viewer. (You can get it for free here: http://www.tracker-software.com/product/downloads).

One thing that grad students have to do a lot of is reading, and a lot of that reading is done by viewing PDFs. Previously, I would print out all the articles I had to read for class (whether I thought they would be relevant to me later in my academic career or not) so that I could write comments in the margins and highlight pieces I thought would be relevant for class. I quickly realized this was an expensive process. It involves a lot of paper and a lot of ink.

In an effort to save the trees and also my wallet, I have downloaded new PDF software that lets me edit right into the document. It has tools for adding comments to the margins as well as highlighters, underline tools, and a whole plethora of other things I have yet to even play with. Now, I read the articles online, adding comments as I go, and bring my computer to class. Although it isn't quite the same experience, I am getting used to it, and I REALLY enjoy not having a ton of excess papers to wade through at the house that I know I will likely never use again. I can still print the ones I enjoy, but I can print them with the comments if I want as well. Below is a screen shot of what it looks like. I think this could also be useful for PDF forms that people create that have restrictions on editing. (I have never understood that since the purpose of a form is likely to have you fill it in). With this program, you could just select the typewriter tool and fill in the information.