PDF (Portable Document Format) is an open standard for document exchange. This file format is used for representing documents in a manner independent of application software, hardware, and operating systems. Each PDF file encapsulates a complete description of a fixed-layout flat document, including the text, fonts, graphics, and other information needed to display it.

The PDF format is often the best way to send your finished document to a printer.

PDF support is built in to Mac OS X. You can open and save any PDF document using “Preview”, most Mac word processors and design apps support PDF.

On Windows, Microsoft has a plugin for Office that you can download for free.

DoPDF is a free program for windows that allows you to convert almost any file into a PDF using the print command built into most programs.

Open Office is a free alternative to Microsoft Office and it supports PDF creation and conversion. There are versions of Open Office for Mac, Windows, and Linux.

Adobe offers a free reader called Adobe Acrobat, that works on both Mac and PC.

Here are some online PDF converters:

zamzar.com
Adobe Create PDF (Free Trial)