doPDF

doPDF is an excellent way to convert files to the .pdf format.  It is software that loads onto your computer and it acts like a printer.  To convert a file to pdf select the printer as "doPDF".  You can choose where to save the file.  Be careful when you select your file or if you change the name of the file to include ".pdf" at the end of the name.  Go to http://www.dopdf.com/ to download and install it.  And yes, it is free.  I use it transfer Word files to pdf, because some families do not have MSWord at home.  This allows them to still read the file.  Plus, in most cases they cannot modify or edit the original document.