The Bottom Line
PDF Download is a Firefox extension which gives you several options when you click on a link whose target is a file in the .pdf format. You are given the ability to display the file within or outside of Firefox, save it to your hard drive, or view it in HTML format by using on the fly conversion.
Pros
- PDF Download eliminates the lenghty load time of Firefox's PDF plug-in.
- You can configure the desired action that takes place when a PDF link is clicked on.
- PDF files can be converted and displayed in HTML format on the fly.
- You can specify any 3rd party PDF reader that you wish to be the browser's default.
Cons
- HTML conversion does not always work correctly.
Description
- The default action of PDF Download is to display a pop-up dialog when a .pdf link is clicked on.
- The pop-up gives you the option to download the PDF, open it, convert it to HTML, or open it with the default plug-in.
- The default can be changed from showing the pop-up to one of the following: Open the PDF, download it, or view it as HTML.
- PDF files can be set to open using Firefox's PDF plug-in, your OS's default viewer, or a PDF viewer that you specify.
- When using Firefox's PDF plug-in, files can be set to open in the current tab, a new tab, or in a new window altogether.
- When opening the HTML conversion of a PDF file, the file can be set to open in the current tab, a new tab, or a new window.
- When viewing a PDF file in HTML format, images can either be displayed or suppressed which is the default behavior.
- To modify settings, choose PDF Download - Options from Firefox's Tools menu.
- If you want to open a PDF file within Firefox, you need either the Adobe or FoxIt PDF plug-in.
- PDF Download is available in both English and Italian.
Guide Review - PDF Download
PDF Download is another Firefox extension which I placed in the simple yet necessary category after using it for just a few hours. The way the browser handles this very common file format leaves a lot to be desired, with slow load times and a lack of control causing many folks to lose their patience. The flexibility PDF Download provides makes it a must-have for anyone who uses Firefox because, at one point or another, you will find yourself opening a PDF file through the browser. I recommend using this in conjunction with the FoxIt extension.
