How to Install Adobe Reader on Ubuntu

Ubuntu Linux's emphasis on open architecture makes certain popular (and proprietary) software packages harder to install than on other operating systems.
Fortunately, that's not the case with Adobe's Acrobat Reader. Because Adobe publishes an installer package specifically for Linux, installing takes only a few clicks.

Things You'll Need

• Computer with Ubuntu Linux installed
• Internet connection

Instructions

1. Navigate to Adobe's website and click on the "Get Adobe Reader" icon.

2. Click the "Download" button if the website automatically detected that you are using Linux and if you want an English installation. Otherwise, click on the "Different language or operating system?" link; on the next page, mark "Linux" as the operating system, and select your language of preference.

3. Run the installer by double-clicking it. If the installer runs and installs the program, follow the instructions to complete installation. If the installer does not run, continue to Step 4.

4. Open the "Terminal" program, located under "Applications," then "Accessories" on the top deskbar.

5. Type the following command, replacing "INSTALLER" with the installer file name and "*" with the directory where the installer is saved:
   chmod a+x */INSTALLER

6. Type in the following command, replacing "INSTALLER" with the installer file name and "*" with the directory where the installer is saved:
   */INSTALLER

Tips & Warnings

• This process will install both the stand-alone Adobe Reader application and the Reader browser plug-in.

Resources

• The lastest version of Reader, from Adobe's Web site
• Reader in other languages or for other operating systems