Techsurvivors

Archives => 2008 => Topic started by: MamaMoose on October 21, 2008, 04:58:39 PM

Title: Displaying .pdf files in FireFox
Post by: MamaMoose on October 21, 2008, 04:58:39 PM

I am running FF 3.0.3 under OS 10.5.4. The browser has a plug in called Quartz PDF Plugin. However, when I try to load a URL with an address ending in .pdf (http://www.xyzxyzxyz.pdf), the page is blank and FF says done. Is there a better extension or plug-in to view .pdf documents in FireFox.

MamaMoose

Title: Displaying .pdf files in FireFox
Post by: krissel on October 22, 2008, 03:11:54 AM

Here are three. I don't use any of them because I prefer to download pdfs for viewing.

http://kb.mozillazine.org/Adobe_Reader

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/636

http://code.google.com/p/firefox-mac-pdf/

Title: Displaying .pdf files in FireFox
Post by: Paddy on October 22, 2008, 07:21:24 AM

Some clarification:

If you are using a modern (Intel) Mac, there is no supported plugin for viewing PDF files within the browser window. (in Firefox - Safari of course can)

The PDF Download plug-in doesn't allow you to view PDFs in the browser - it converts them to HTML in the browser (or you can save them etc.)

PDF Browser Plug-in only works on PowerPC-based Macs:
http://plugindoc.mozdev.org/OSX.html#PDF

Further:

QUOTE

The latest versions of Adobe Reader do not support viewing PDF files within Firefox on Mac OS X. If you are running OS X on a computer with a PowerPC processer, or if you are willing to run Firefox under Rosetta, then installing the Schubert|it PDF Browser Plugin will enable you to view PDF files within Firefox on OS X. There is currently no native plugin for modern Macintosh computers.

So, Tom - for you, it depends which of your machines you're using. Was the result you're seeing occurring on one of your PPC Macs? I just installed PDFKit on my G5 and it works fine. I haven't tried anything on my Intel MBP since Mozilla says in no uncertain terms all over the place that it just ain't possible. (Someone needs to get busy on this!!)

Title: Displaying .pdf files in FireFox
Post by: Bruce_F on October 22, 2008, 09:58:59 AM

There is an experimental plugin available which works with Intel Macs.

Firefox PDF Plugin for Mac OS

Seems to work okay on my MBP.

Title: Displaying .pdf files in FireFox
Post by: Gregg on October 22, 2008, 12:29:08 PM

Hey, Bruce! Thanks for experimenting on your Mac!!

I think I'll wait. Curious that the page doesn't have a download or install button. I suppose that means you have to be using Firefox.

Title: Displaying .pdf files in FireFox
Post by: Paddy on October 22, 2008, 01:35:30 PM

I installed the plugin from the last of Kris' links - and I swear I did a search of Firefox add-ons at the mozilla.org site and that one (which is the same plugin as Kris linked to) did NOT show up. Weird. (Shows up now) Also, there is no documentation that indicates that it DOES work on Intel Macs which isn't very helpful, since Mozilla states so categorically in several locations that there are no plug-ins for viewing PDFs inline on Intel Macs. I suppose the operative word here is "supported" - and they don't support plug-ins listed as "experimental"? You'd need to read the comments to know that - and even then, there is only one comment at about #25 that mentions Intel Macs. Google turns up a lot of out-of-date results, though there was one near the bottom of the first page of results that linked to this plugin (now that I know what I'm actually looking for!!).

Somebody needs to do a better job of updating Mozilla's info - it's all well and good for them to say that there is no "supported" plug-in, but it might be nice if they'd mention that there IS an experimental one for those who don't mind living on the bleeding edge. And given the comments, it's also not much of a bleeding edge at this point...

BTW - if you install from the Google link, there is no requirement to log in to install the "experimental" plugin, like there is from the Firefox Add-On page.