Unalterable 'read only' Document?

[Professor Brensec]

I am setting up a Business through a Website.

Without going into details (which I wouldn't anyway..... ), I need to send a Document to other people and I want that document to be able to be down-loaded, read and printed by the receiver, but they can't be able to alter it.

I know I can send a 'read only' Word Doc that I have secured from changes with a password, but that's not 100% fullproof.
I have come across other Web sites e.g. Goverment sites that allow you to download Adobe PDF Doc's that can't be changed. How do I go about transfering or turning my Word Doc into this sort of thing.
Or can a Word Doc be 100% read only without any chance of someone changing it?

Any thoughts? Thanks  ;D

[BFMF]

You can get software which will convert regular documents to PDF formats, and I do have some programs which will, but they're not cheap.

You could send them to me and I would gladly convert them for you, but if you don't want me seeing them, I would totally understand

[Professor Brensec]

Thanks Andrew,

It's not so much your not seeing them. There would be eventually 50 (or more) 'packages' consisting of around 15 - 20 pages each.
I plan to supply the 'packages' (which contain specific information, regarding specific subjects) for a small fee.
They are kind of 'researched' and 'specailly presented' packages that people (I hope), would be interested enough to pay a couple of bucks for, in terms of their 'invaluable content'.

So, there would be a hell of a lot of 'converting' to be done.
If I need a program to convert to a 'secure type' document, then I'll have to get the software and the ability to prepare it all myself.

Simply, the reason for my need is, that I've been advised legally, that it would be preferable if no-one could alter the documents and then say that "this is what he says" or "No, that warning or disclaimer wasn't on the document he sent me!".
That sort of thing.

It just a situation where I have to be very careful that there is no misinterpretation of the content and "intent" of the 'packages', so I want them so that no-one could alter one and then claim that's what I sent.  ;)

Thanks for the offer though, but I will have to get an appropriate program.  ;D
I know Acrobat 'reader' is free, for those to download that receive Acrobat Doc's, so I'll just have to get the ability to 'write' them.  ;)

Unless someone else knows how to do the same with your standard MS Office or Works Documents?
Although Acrobat looks alot more professional, too.  ;D

Thanks all  

[BFMF]

yeah, I guess that would be too much, especially e-mailing those files.

Maybe there's some free software out there that can do what you want

[Professor Brensec]

Yeah Andrew. I actually clicked on the 'Acrobat Reader' icon an my Desktop, (which is software that came with the 'Word' package the Mrs got with the PC).

It had a link to the main Site, where you can get a trail version to try out - it's good for 5 documents with a certain size limit.

But then I noticed I had to choose the type of 'tryout' program that I wanted and didn't know which one to pick.
I saw 'Document Publishing' something or other..........

Then I thought, we also have MS Publisher, as part of the software that came with the PC. Surely that can do the same sort of thing?

So, I'm going to check out Publisher shortly and see if it will do what I want it to. If it does, then no problem.

Thanks Mate  ;D

If anyone has firsthand experience with MS Publisher and they can tell me if it will do what I have outlined in my prior post, can you let me know, it might save me some time.

Thanks Again  ;D

[Lurch]

Brensec,

Hate to say it,but Publisher isn't going to help you.I just did a quick search for free PDF convertors and came up with this:
http://freedownloadswindows.com/windows/654626/Simple-PDF-Editor.html
I haven't tried it personally (I have Acrobat),but from what I read it should support your needs,and best of all it's free.

[Professor Brensec]

Brensec,

Hate to say it,but Publisher isn't going to help you.I just did a quick search for free PDF convertors and came up with this:
http://freedownloadswindows.com/windows/654626/Simple-PDF-Editor.html
I haven't tried it personally (I have Acrobat),but from what I read it should support your needs,and best of all it's free.

Thanks very much, Lurch.

I'm on my way to the site as I speak.  ;D

Thanks Again  ;D

[Ivan]

Come on... you aren't going to tell me that you are going to buy a $200+ program for just one file while the same thing can be done for free?

http://www.cs.wisc.edu/~ghost/
You need GSView, Ghostscript and RedMon.

RedMon links the printer output with Ghostscript, makes it into a PS (postscript) file
With GSView you can open the PS file and covert it into PDF (Acrobat reader) with loads of options for compression and so on

[Professor Brensec]

Come on... you aren't going to tell me that you are going to buy a $200+ program for just one file while the same thing can be done for free?

http://www.cs.wisc.edu/~ghost/
You need GSView, Ghostscript and RedMon.

RedMon links the printer output with Ghostscript, makes it into a PS (postscript) file
With GSView you can open the PS file and covert it into PDF (Acrobat reader) with loads of options for compression and so on

No. As explained it's not for just one file. There will be 50+ or even more.

Thanks for the tip tho'  

These are the sorts of tips/info that I hoped my friends here would let me know about.
I know I can get 'illegal' programs from the Net etc from places like warez etc, but was looking for legitimate ideas................Thanks  ;)

P.S. A bloke at work has already offered to give me a 'burnt' copy of his Adboe PDF program. But I won't accept pirated programs.
1. Because I don't think it's right.
2. Because you can't always rely on the quality or the safety of the program.
3. If you get caught, you could get into alot of trouble, if the authorities wanted to be really nasty.

I know there are no members of SimV that would offer this sort of thing. I also notice that it is against one of the 'prime directives' in the SimV rules. No 'pirated programs' or FS copies etc.
Those that post here asking for either copies or advice on problems associated with illegal disks, are given 'short shift' very quickly and admonished by a few members for their stupidity and dishonesty. As it should be.

Ivan, I'll give that link a go and see what I can do with it, thanks...........