Filed under: Internet, Utilities, Macintosh, Productivity, Adobe, Commercial, Freeware, Browser Tips, Imaging Tips
PDF Browser Plugin for Mac browsers
by Jason Clarke Mar 31st 2009 at 1:00PM
The Mac's built-in PDF support is pretty strong, which is nice because if there's one piece of software I have always despised for its unnecessary bloat, it would be Adobe Reader. To be honest, I've always liked the fact that when I come across a PDF online, clicking to open it results in it being downloaded and opened in the built-in Preview application. Opening PDFs in the browser was always slow and clunky using Adobe Reader, and always annoyed me.
But recently a friend convinced me to try Schubert|it PDF Browser Plugin, and I'm glad I did. PDF Browser Plugin does exactly what you'd expect, allowing you to view PDF files in the comfort of your favorite browser (provided your favorite browser is either Firefox or Safari). But what I found surprising was how fast PDF Browser Plugin is. If you happen to be viewing a small PDF, it will open almost instantly, with the only delay being how long it takes to download the actual PDF file. This speed is possible because PDF Browser Plugin is leveraging the Quartz technology built into the Mac that allows it to render PDF files in the same way the Finder or Preview does.
The plugin's other claim to fame is a distinct respect for the Mac's look-and-feel. Schubert|it PDF Browser Plugin is free for personal or educational use, but requires a $69 site license for business users.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
CreepersCreek said 2:24PM on 3-31-2009
Funny, I was just having a problem with viewing .do documents in Firefox last night. Thanks!
I hate Adobe Reader too. The updater is a worthless piece of junk.
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funesean said 2:46PM on 3-31-2009
I could not get two finger scrolling to work on firefox 3.1b3 or in safari. That is a deal breaker for me when it comes to a reader. I am putting in a email to the developer to see if this is a personal bug or missing entirely.
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Josh said 2:51PM on 3-31-2009
Honestly, Preview is enough of a reader for me. Back when I was a Windows user, the thing that irritated me most about Firefox was how long it took to open a PDF file and it completely froze the browser. I'm fine with it opening in Preview by default.
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Jeff said 5:30PM on 3-31-2009
Ugh, don't download this. It's horribly buggy and there's *no way* to uninstall it without digging through the browser's system files and deleting stuff.
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Snazzy T said 5:54PM on 3-31-2009
Safari opens PDFs in the browser anyway, too, and works fine.
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Guy said 8:46AM on 4-01-2009
For Firefox (on Mac) I use Firfox PDF plugin from http://code.google.com/p/firefox-mac-pdf/ much cleaner and the scroll works as well as multitouch zoom.
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Neil T. said 3:06AM on 4-05-2009
I second the recommendation for the Firefox PDF plugin - it's free and open source.
ramesh said 11:52PM on 4-02-2009
Hi Guys, Please let me know how to uninstall it..
Thanks...
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Jason Clarke said 1:24PM on 4-03-2009
Hi ramesh,
From the Support page for PDF Browser Plugin:
How do I uninstall PDF Browser Plugin?
In Finder go to /Library/Internet Plug-Ins/ or /Library/Internet Plug-Ins/ and move PDF Browser Plugin to the trash. Then restart your web browser.
Daniel said 3:38AM on 4-08-2009
I'm finding this horribly buggy as well (lots of redraw issues when scrolling through PDFs) and the lack of scroll-wheel support is a deal breaker.
Heading back to the FireFox extension - but I'll miss the "Open with" button!
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