My mother created a calendar using Microsoft Publisher. She put it in read only status via the document properties, thinking that it wouldn't be able to be modified by whomever she sent it to. However when she emailed it and saw it printed out, it had been modified despite her putting it in read only status. She wanted me to ask some questions about this to clarify for her edification.
1. Doesn't read only status being applied mean that the no one else can modify the document except the original owner who applied that status?
2. If read only status means only the original owner can modify the document, what would the receiver of the document have to do to modify the document? Could they remove the read only status?
3. If read only status being applied doesn't mean that the document can't be modified by whomever you send it to, then what can be applied to keep the receivers of the document from modifying it?
Thanks for your help and please reply soon.
1. Doesn't read only status being applied mean that the no one else can modify the document except the original owner who applied that status?
no it means only the user(owner of the file) who created the file on that pc or an admin account (can make changes to any/all files) can make changes, but other user accounts on the pc can't because they don't own the file so can only read it.
2. If read only status means only the original owner can modify the document, what would the receiver of the document have to do to modify the document? Could they remove the read only status?
soon as the document is received by the other person, they own the file so can make any changes they like to it without having to change anything.
3. If read only status being applied doesn't mean that the document can't be modified by whomever you send it to, then what can be applied to keep the receivers of the document from modifying it?
as far as i'm aware ( and may be wrong here ) there is nothing you can do to stop the receiver of the document from making changes to it, because you no longer own the file the receiver does and anything you own on your own pc you can make changes too.
Thank you for your speedy reply terry. You are always very helpful when answering questions and very knowledgeable.
I know you said you didn't know of a way to apply a system that would prevent the receiver of the document from modifying the document, but since it's my mother's preference to prevent the receiver from modifying the documents I was wondering if maybe someone else here knows of a way to do this. Is there some kind of security feature in Office or freeware that would do this so that my mother could always know she would be able to keep all modifications with her alone. If anyone knows of a way to do this please post here.
Thanks again for your help terry and thanks to anyone who can post any helpful suggestions.
there are ways to make it harder for a document to be changed but there are no ways i know of to make it impossible.
maybe she could save it as a picture and then send that, the receiver would then have to create a new document from the picture (if they knew how) or use photo editing software before being able to change anything. shrugs.
no idea but i think with a word document you can password protect it anyway(again not guaranteed to stop editing but will make it harder), but because i don't use microsoft windows for my operating system, i don't use any of microsofts office products either so can't verify anything for you.
It you make it into a PDF document, it is extremely difficult, (impossible?) to edit, copy and paste or change. That is the reason many docs especially legal docs, etc are PDFs.
I use Foxit Reader pro. (there is a free version) as it has a very light footprint compared to Adobe reader.
Thank you Lee for your recommendation.
I tried the link you gave and it was in Russian and when I tried to go the free version it still prompted me to make a payment.
I tried to download the free version of fox it reader from the english site and there didn't appear to be an option to create a pdf with it except via another paid software on their site.
Is there way to get a free pdf creator Lee? I tried both but neither would work for this. Please give me further advice.
Thanks
Try that link again as I have changed it to another Foxit site. You must download the program to desktop and then install it. Choose custom install and untick the add-on "ASK toolbar" options.
The link should take you to this page (if not you may have as malware problem) for the free Foxit. There are also vaious paid for versions. The one i use is "Foxit PhantomPDF Business" futher down that page, but the free one is very good for general use.
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Cheers,
Lee
For just making documents into .pdf files… I like PrimoPdf. It installs like a printer driver and is very easy to use (for me anyway). There are many of these type of programs out there but this is the only one I've found that I like. Your mileage may vary.
it is extremely difficult, (impossible?) to edit, copy and paste or change.
no not impossible, or even that hard really, but like everything it's knowing how, but they are a lot better than just sending a standard word file if you want to discourage editing.
Thank you Lee and Tomk for that recommendation. I definitely think this could be a solution.
I will download both software packages.
And Lee I'm sorry I'm not trying to be dense, but how do you create a pdf in fox it reader? I am still unclear as to how to do it. Could you help me to understand?
