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Download Service FAQ
 
 
 When using the download service you may have one or more of the following FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions):

We trust this FAQ will solve most of the difficulties you might experience. If this is not the case please write us and explain your problem as detailed as possible.
 


I don't understand  this PDF-stuff. How do I download the latest issue?

PDF is an important format for electronic publishing. A PDF-publication looks exactly the same as the original publication which was printed on paper. The Ghanaian Newsrunner uses this format to store all the articles, photo's, illustrations and even advertisements of one edition into one (1) PDF-file, called latest.pdf.

This PDF-file is only usable if you have the appropiate software installed on your computer. This software is the Adobe Acrobat Reader. With a little bit of luck this software is already installed on your computer. Thousands of companies in the world - including a giant as IBM - are using the PDF-format to publish their manuals and other books electronically. If the Adobe Acrobat Reader is not installed on your system then don't worry. First of all this software is entirely free. Secondly you don't have to go to the shop to get a copy. Just visit  http://www.adobe.com and download and install the correct version for your computer. The Adobe Acrobat reader is available for Windows 3.11, Windows 95, Windows NT, MacIntosh and Unix. At  http://www.adobe.com you will find detailed instructions about how to download and install this important software.

Once the Adobe Acrobat Reader has been installed successfully on your computer you are able to view/print all of the hundreds of thousands PDF-files which are currently available on the Internet and on CD-ROM.

Downloading the PDF-file which contains the latest issue is simple. Just click HERE.

After you have started the downloading a plug-in will be automatically activated in your Netscape or Explorer browser. This plug-in will show the Ghanaian Newsrunner automatically in it's full glory on your screen after the downloading is completed (see remark). Please keep in mind that downloading the PDF-file from the Internet to your computer  takes a considerable time.

 


 Why does it take so long to download the PDF-file?
 
A typical edition of the Ghanaian Newsrunner in PDF-format takes up about 2,0 Mb. That's a considerable size considering that your are probably connected to the Internet with a 28K or 33K or 55K modem. Even with an ISDN-connection it will take you a few minutes to download the magazine.

Unfortunately there is not much that we can do to speed up the downloading. The PDF-file is that large because it contains 28-32 compressed pages of articles and lots of photo's, illustrations and advertisements. We can only speed up the downloading by publishing only part of the magazine which is against our objective to present you the publication in full.
 
Under perfect conditions it should take you some 9 (33K modem) to 15 (28K) minutes to download the magazine. That's a considerable time but on the other hand you will be able to read the magazine off-line - without being connected to the Internet - once it is downloaded.
 
Depending on the time you are connected to the Internet and your geographical location you might experience excessive download times due to congestion of the Internet. If this occurs please let us know because we might be able to compensate the congestion by adding a mirror-site in the USA or Asia.
 


Why does the PDF-file not show automatically in my browser?
 
 It is possible that after you start the downloading the Adobe Acrobat plug-in won't start automatically. Instead you will be asked to select a 'Helper' application or to save the PDF-file to your harddisk.

The Adobe Acrobat plug-in will only start automatically with newer versions of Netscape (or Explorer). And even then it will only start automatically if Adobe Acrobat has been installed correctly.

In case the plug-in is not started automatically you may save the PDF-file to your harddrive and view it later using the stand-alone Adobe Acrobat reader. The stand-alone reader does not require a connection to the Internet.


I wish to print the PDF-file for my collegues or family. Is that allowed?

Basically YES. At first sight you may find it strange that we allow the Ghanaian Newsrunner to be copied and distributed at no charges. The explanation is simple. Like most publications we only charge our readers a modest compensation for the costs of printing and distribution. Since you will be bearing the costs of printing and distribution yourself we don't see why we should charge you additionally.

However there are some  terms and conditions  attached to the Ghanaian Newsrunner's download service.


I experience problems printing the PDF-file.

A common problem which might occur when you print the PDF-file is that the margins are not printed completely. This occurs when the printable area of your printer is too small which is typical for many inkt-jet printers. You may solve this problem by clicking the check-box "Shrink to Fit" in the printer-dialog window.

Another potential problem is that the layout of a page is too complex for your printer. You may be able to solve this problem by reduding the resolution at which you print. There's no need to print at a resolution higher than 600 DPI because the PDF-file has been optimized for 600 DPI. Even a resolution of 300 DPI will give acceptible results. If reducing the resolution does not help then you should try another printer or expand the memory in your printer.

If you print the PDF-file from within your browser, the browser might crash during the printing. This problem has been reported several times with Netscape Navigator 4.0. The solution is to print the document from within the stand-alone program of Adobe Acrobat.