Plusnet and Adobe Reader

[#1]

After past data leaks I avoid Adobe reader. I don't normally bother looking at itemised bills but just out of interest I have just downloaded my latest Plusnet bill. I noted the message that 'it can only be read by Adobe Reader and was invited to download this program. Obviously this is not true but makes me wonder why Plusnet should promote Adobe.

It looks like what Plusnet are doing is leaving off the file extension to try and fool other readers. I use Foxit and the way I found to open the download from Plusnet was to open Foxit, select Open then select All Files from the Open box. This then revealed the Plusnet download which had the useful title $STANDARD.

Has any-one got any ideas why Plusnet should think this is either necessary or makes sense? Do they get a payout from Adobe?

[#2]

The PDF, as a standard, was designed by Adobe which is why there is the tie to their reader when these files are referenced. Having an extension and a proper file name like Plusnet-YY-MM-DD.pdf would make a heck of a lot of sense too.

[#3]

@Baldrick1 

My guess is the pdf is generated on the fly and changing the name would be a bit more complex.

[#4]

Actually, I was wrong. Bit the interesting thing is that the bills are created using Foxit:

[#5]

@Baldrick1 In my opinion, that 'Adobe Reader' statement should be amended to say 'a PDF reader'. I have not had Adobe on my machines since I can't remember when, opting instead for other products, initially Foxit and now SumatraPDF reader - much lighter and easier to use.

As to opening the monthly PN bill, just clicking on it opens it for me, then I click 'save as', rename it to an understandable title, and save in the 'PN Invoices' folder.

[#6]

Further to my post above, the bills must have a 'hidden' .pdf extension, as my settings in Firefox are to use SumatraPDF to open files of that type, and it does so.

[#7]

It doesn't have an extension, the reason it opens inside Firefox is down to the mime type settings. As part of the download process it will have an application/pdf mime type set so FF knows what to do with it and is why it can be viewed automatically.

[#8]

Thanks for that, @Anonymous - didn't see that.

When I select a bill, I get the option to 'Open with SumatraPDF (default)' or 'download this file'.

Obviously, I select the first option, then proceed as stated earlier.