Question

If all you are trying to do is create a PDF file there are plenty of free programs that will create pdf files. I use pdf995 at http://www.pdf995.com . It allows you to print from any program to pdf . So you can use any program to create your magazine. The only catch is that since it is free it will load an advertisement every time you print. I always close them and continue to print. Been using the program for 5 years now.

Adobe Reader is a reader with very limited capabilities beyond reading. Adobe Acrobat is the best for PDF creation (makes sense since the PDF - Portable Document Format - format is from Adobe in the first place in 1993). Acrobat is expensive but can do some amazing things. Microsoft Word 2007 integrates Acrobat allowing you to create PDF documents directly from your Word document. Beware cheap knockoffs - get Acrobat and save yourself lots of headaches, especially if you have a commercial need, such as your newsletter.