PDF compatability with SharePoint

Since Msft and Adobe don't choose to play nice together - we get to jump through hoops to make it so they can - at least when they are at a playdate at our house.

First you need to make the little icon next to items show the pdf icon - when they are pdf's

1. First you need to find a 16x16 pdf icon and put it in this folder:
-- c:\program files\common files\microsoft shared\web server extensions\60\template\images
(check the acl permission on the image - it may show for admins - and not less proveleged users)
2. Then you need to edit the xml file that stores all the refernces to icons to include a refernce for the pdf icon - here is the file
--c:\program files\common files\microsoft shared\web server extensions\60\template\xml\docicon.xml
AND here is what to add to it (at the bottom of the file, above the closing tag)
--
(note that XML is case sensitive so make sure you use same case as previous entries).

Here is a guy who even made a little bat file to do it
http://msmvps.com/blogs/cgross/archive/2004/10/26/16679.aspx - his profile pic looks like he learned how to play nice ;). Here is how the script reads - if you are curious (or in case his blog goes away)
@echo offECHO Adobe Acrobat PDF icon installation script for Windows Sharepoint Serivces document libraries by Chad Gross.
copy pdf16.gif "c:\program files\common files\microsoft shared\web server extensions\60\template\images\pdf16.gif" /y
rename "c:\program files\common files\microsoft shared\web server extensions\60\template\xml\docicon.xml" docicon.old
copy docicon.xml "c:\program files\common files\microsoft shared\web server extensions\60\template\xml\docicon.xml" /yiisreset

Then you need to install the ifilter

download it: on the Adobe web site here.
install it: (put the exe in the server - unblock it and run it- do an iisreset)
directions here: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555209
if you have the wss search - there are extra hoops
http://bloggingabout.net/blogs/harold/archive/2008/10/02/index-pdf-documents-on-sharepoint-using-adobe-pdf-ifilter-9.aspx

I did not need to do more than what was mentioned in the microsoft article. It did take a few mins to start working after reindexing however-- I suggest that you be patient. (If that doesn't work - try a reboot?)