The SPECIFIC reason I hate adobe - as a nursing student

[patrickj43307958]

My main issue is with Acrobat, PDFs.

Please don't insult my intelligence and tell me it's a sophisticated software. It's not!!! And yet even as a nursing student everything I upload has to be a PDF, and I'm forced to pay to use this paper-combining "software"!!!

It's one thing for a corporation to make life easier for people, like discovering a cure for cancer.

It's ANOTHER subject for a company to CREATE A PROBLEM, and then innocently offer the cure at an obnoxious price.

WHO decided to make PDFs the king of everything, and make this silly software so expensive!

[kglad]

in the future, to find the best place to post your message, use the list here, https://community.adobe.com/

p.s. i don't think the adobe website, and forums in particular, are easy to navigate, so don't spend a lot of time searching that forum list. do your best and we'll move the post (like this one has already been moved) if it helps you get responses.

<"moved from download and install">

[patrickj43307958]

Yes, thank you 🙂

[kglad]

you can't use reader?

[patrickj43307958]

Sweetheart, I need to "combine" PDFs, not just open them.

I basically need to do a "copy paste" and yet I have to pay for it?

[ali_3193]

Listen to your frustration fully - it's amazing how something as basic as combining PDFs ends up behind a paywall. It seems like we've all accepted PDF as the default without questioning whether there's a better, more accessible option.

[patrickj43307958]

Thank you for sympathysing with me. I agree 100%. We're living in THEIR world. 

[try67]

No one's forcing you to use Acrobat. There are plenty of alternatives out there, some free:

www.google.com/search?q=combine+pdf+free

[patrickj43307958]

That's my point, sweetheart.

Adobe acrobate is so basic and simple that people in their basements are creating their own version!!! 

But you can't create a duplicate of photoshop so easily? 

See - I am giving credit to adobe, just not acrobat. Stupid name, too!

[kglad]

@patrickj43307958 

https://community.adobe.com/t5/using-the-community-discussions/adobe-community-guidelines/td-p/47881...

no second warning.

[try67]

You seem to have no idea how complex PDF files really are and what a huge improvement they've been over other document formats. Enough to say the format is defined by a highly technical document that's over 1000 pages long, and it's a world-wide standard for 20+ years. Shouldn't the company that invented it be allowed to enjoy the fruits of their work, by selling a product that modifies and creates such files?

But you just care about being able to do things for free and ranting about it when you can't, so there's no real point in trying to convince you otherwise. Use other tools.

[jane-e]

My main issue is with Acrobat, PDFs.

WHO decided to make PDFs the king of everything

By @patrickj43307958

This video shows what our workflow was before Adobe created Acrobat 1.0:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRrpyY8KPWE&t=8s

I remember using couriers to send long documents (500+ pages) to and from a client. They made edits in the margins with a pencil. We also had to Print to File and send a PostScript file to the printer without being able to view the final document. Adobe Acrobat changed all that and streamlined our workflow.

Quite a few years ago, Adobe gave away PDF technology to an ISO. They no longer own PDF and other vendors can create, read, and edit PDFs (with varying degrees of quality.)

Adobe continues to make the most stable PDFs, which is why I have stuck with them. You don't have to.

You can even use couriers and fax machines if that is your preference! 😊

Jane

[patrickj43307958]

Ok, I will be try and be nice.

I think you're giving thanks to "general" technology having advanced.

Let me refresh your memory, it's easier to share EVERYTHING now compared to 1991 LOL.

I can send a photo halfway around the world in 0.0001 seconds.

Again: Don't insult my intelligence by saying ACROBAT contributed so much to techonological advancement that it should be paid???

ADOBE ACROBAT is basically email - only very basic.

Rack your brain hard and tell me just WHAT innovative breakrough adobe acrobat solved?

What's next? Microsoft word helped us move on from using passenger pigeons??

[jane-e]

just WHAT innovative breakrough adobe acrobat solved?

By @patrickj43307958

It's more than I can go into here, but sign up for my four-day class in Acrobat if you really want to know its capabilities.

Jane

[Tariq Ahmad Dar]

Hi @patrickj43307958,

Thank you all for sharing your honest thoughts and experiences in this thread. We sincerely appreciate the time you’ve taken to voice your concerns.

We completely understand how important it is for students, to have reliable, accessible, and easy-to-use tools. When time is tight and expectations are high, even a small disruption can feel overwhelming — and we hear you.

For Students Needing Access

We want to highlight that Adobe Acrobat Reader (free) supports many key tasks such as:

• Filling out forms

• Adding comments or highlighting

• Signing documents electronically

However, we understand that sometimes academic or administrative forms require tools from Acrobat Pro, like combining files, converting formats, or editing PDFs.

For students who need these features, Adobe offers a significant student discount — up to 60% off the full Creative Cloud suite, which includes Acrobat Pro, Photoshop, Illustrator, and more.

👉 You can check your eligibility and access the offer here: 🔗 Adobe Student Discount – Official Site

We’re Listening

We also recognize the feedback around upgrade prompts and usability expectations. These discussions help us evaluate how to communicate better within the app — especially for users trying to get critical tasks done quickly. Your voices are being shared with our product and design teams.

Need Help Now?

If you’re running into a specific roadblock — whether with a form, signature, or file — feel free to message us here. We’re happy to walk you through solutions using the free version or point you to the right resource.

Thanks again for being open with your feedback. It matters.

Best regards,
Tariq | Adobe Community Team

[JR Boulay]

"Please don't insult my intelligence and tell me it's a sophisticated software. It's not!!!"

Yes it is.

Acrobat Pro is a more complexe software than Photoshop or InDesign, but many of its functions are not immediately apparent.

[patrickj43307958]

If adobe acrobat is sooooo great, then what would call other technologies, like WHATSAPP, which allows us to send photos(???) for free (???) to anyone in the world (???). 

[JR Boulay]

Like Acrobat, Photoshop and InDesign were created and are used by graphic arts professionals.

These programs are not designed for students in unrelated professions who grumble.