Adobe Acrobat Standard and Professional versions will read PDF files to you!   This feature is called Read Out Loud and it is easy to use.  Using the feature is a two-step process.  First the feature is activated; next you command it to read.

To use the feature open a PDF:
1.  Click on View>Activate Read Out Loud.
2.  Click on View>Read Out Loud>Read This Page Only or Read to End of Document.

The Read feature will remain activated until you close Acrobat.  There a number of  keystroke combinations which will also control the Read Out Loud feature. Adobe provides additional information and instructions to change the default settings for Read Out Loud.

The voice is not stimulating, and the listening comprehension process requires some extra level of concentration.  Even so, listening to a PDF document while driving is far superior to trying to read one!

Don’t forget: Windows also has a “narrator” function that will read out loud to you. For information on turning it on and using it in Windows XP, go here and for Vista go here.

The long awaited new Windows operating system, Windows 7, will be released to retail stores and PC makers October 22, 2009 – a mere six weeks from now. Many Vista users are eagerly anticipating what some have called “Vista Fixed.”

Many XP users (and there are a lot of us) have been waiting for anything but Vista to come along.  So, how will you know if you should make the move? I began by reading 10 things you should know about moving from Windows XP to Windows 7 on TechRepublic.  Among other important things, it spells out how XP users will have to do a clean install of Win7, or else install it in a separate partition on their harddrive.  A “clean” installation will replace your current operating system. The only thing left of XP will be in a folder that Microsoft creates called “Windows old.”  Your applications (your software programs) will not be viable! The good news is that Windows 7 reportedly is not a huge resource hog, so if your XP computer is three years old or less, it probably will be able to run Windows 7.

Vista users will fare better – they will be able to migrate from Vista to Win7 with settings and files intact. For either Vista users or XP users, I recommend reading Step-by-Step: Windows 7 Upgrade and Migration on Microsoft TechNet. Good luck!