Acro bytes by Kurt Foss

Adobe Systems has posted a patch for versions 8.1.0 of its Acrobat family (Professional, Standard and 3D) and free Adobe Reader that addresses a potential security vulnerability (affecting Windows XP users with Internet Explorer 7 installed), and addresses several other issues for both Windows and Macintosh users. The 8.1.1 updater, available for download (multiple languages) from Adobe.com and soon also available from the automatic product update feature within both products, updates version 8.1.0 of the mentioned products and corrects issues identified in both 8.1 and 8.0, according to the company. A full 8.1.1 English version of Adobe Reader is also available for download.

The 8.1.1 updater closes a recently reported security vulnerability on the Windows platform. According to Adobe, some cross-platform corrections include the resolution of several PDF-forms-related issues and the removal of the FedEx Kinko’s menu item. Adobe recommends that all Acrobat and Reader users apply the 8.1.1 updates.

Version 8.1.1 links:

• Support Knowledgebase: Issues addressed in the Acrobat 8.1.1 update
• Adobe.com: New downloads
• Windows: Adobe Acrobat 8.1.1 Professional and Standard update
• Windows: Adobe Acrobat 3D 8.1.1 update
• Macintosh: Adobe Acrobat 8.1.1 Professional
• Macintosh: Adobe Reader 8.1.1 update
• Windows: Adobe Reader 8.1.1 update
• Reader (English): Full version

Members of the Acrobat user-group chapters in New York, Boston and Dallas (as of October 15) will have a chance to be transported to Council Bluffs, IA on the morning of October 23. Or perhaps more accurately, the Acrobat and PDF Central Conference being held at the western Iowa venue will beam a couple of its opening sessions as live webcasts to the participating chapters in those metro locations.

The special online feed will include the opening keynote address on the “State of the Acrobat Union” by Ali Hanyaloglu of Adobe Systems, and the first-up informational session titled “Remember the Users: Designing for your Readers,” presented by Angie Okamoto of Tech Ed Solutions in Omaha, NE, hosts of the conference. The webcasts will be available via Acrobat Connect Professional only to chapters that host local meetings at the time of the sessions. Check AcrobatUsers.com for an updated list of chapter meetings.

Remote-viewing participants will have an opportunity to ask questions after each session by utilizing the chat-pod feature in Acrobat Connect, says Hanyaloglu, who serves as the leader of the Boston chapter. It was the first to offer Connect participation to its chapter members earlier this year, and many others have since provided a similar option.

There’s also still time to register to attend the conference the old-fashioned way, which expands your access to a diverse range of topical sessions led by a respected group of Acrobat experts. AcrobatUsers.com members can save $100 by entering the “AUC2007″ discount code on the registration form.