If you create documents with LaTeX, then write the dvi file and use dvips to convert to postscript. Then use ps2pdf to map this file to PDF (you can also directly use pdflatex). NOTE: for best results, add \usepackage{times} to the preamble of your document. This will use a Times font, which reproduces much better on screen in a PDF file than the default LaTeX font (the latter ends up represented as a bitmap in the final file). The final file is much smaller, as well.
If you use Word, there are several options. One is to simply install the 2007 Microsoft Office Add-in: Microsoft Save as PDF, which will allow you to directly save PDFs from Office programs, including Word.
Another choice is to use Acrobat 7 from Adobe. They developed the PDF format and have a complete set of tools available for mapping to PDF from many formats. You can also mark up PDF files directly with Acrobat 7. Of course, the down side is that you have to pay for it (Acrobat Reader, the free package, doesn't convert files). But you can use a copy available on the department's server. From within Windows on the department's PCs, select start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> Remote Desktop Connection and connect to connect to csnt-ts. Then you can log in with your cse username and password. From within this new session, you can access Acrobat 7 directly or through various programs, such as Word or PowerPoint. To generate PDF files from a Word file, select print and select "Acrobat" or "PDF" as the printer.
Alternatively, within Word you can print to a file (but make sure you select a postscript printer!) and rename the .prn file to be a .ps file. Then use ps2pdf on cse.
Finally, other available packages, some with free demo versions, include (in no particular order):
Last modified 16 August 2011; please report problems to sscott.