For the longest time I disliked having to have Acrobat Reader on my machine.  If you wanted to read a PDF then it was the only option.  The thing had a ridiculously long start up that was amplified by checking for updates every time it started up.  All I want to do is read a PDF.  That's why I got READER and not the full Adobe Acrobat application.  KISS!

In came Foxit Reader and all was right with the world.  It did the one thing I needed and did it fast and efficient.  The only downside that I've found using Foxit Reader are financial sites that require you to have Acrobat Reader installed.  I want to op-out of snail mail statements and I guess this is to ensure I can read the the PDF statements and to cover themselves from a legal standpoint.  I wish they would also check for Foxit Reader but they don't...I asked.

I finally had to break down and install the latest version of Acrobat Reader.  I have to say that I am really impressed.  I'm pretty sure they took a look at what Foxit Reader does, saw that it was gaining popularity, and more and more people were really disliking Acrobat Reader.  Here are a few things that I noticed about Adobe Acrobat Reader 8.

1. Updater Preferences - Very similar to WindowsXP automatic updates.  I tell Acrobat Reader when to check for updates and what to do with them.  I can also turn if off.  Foxit Reader checks for updates when I ask it to.
2. Quick startup - Only 2 seconds vs. 20-30 seconds in previous versions.  Foxit Reader is still quicker but not by much.
3. Quick startup - No splash screen on startup.  You can have the splash screen if you want but it's off by default.  Foxit doesn't have one either.  Clean and simple.
4. Quick startup - Instead of making me wait during start up to find updates, it searches for updates in the background.  In process explorer and saw an "updater" pop up and then go away.  Very nice.

There are still two things that I don't like but aren't a problem at the moment.

1. The large download and install coming in at 20.8MB.  Foxit Reader is still small at 1.67MB.
2. It still doesn't have the ability to type on the PDF document like Foxit Reader does.

Using Acrobat Reader 8 has been a pleasant experience so far.  I still wouldn't suggest replacing Foxit Reader but don't be afraid of using it if you had concerns like I did.

Giddy Up!