Can I use the plug-in with the free Adobe Reader?

No -- you must have the "full" version of Adobe Acrobat -- either Standard or Professional -- to run any of the Banjo Plug-in variations.  

For more information on the different variations of the Banjo plug-in, click here.

Adobe Acrobat already has a digital signature feature.  Why should I purchase a separate plug-in to do this?

The Banjo plug-in provides features that the standard Adobe digital signature handler does not.  These include:

• Customization of the signature appearance -- The Banjo plug-in lets you create exactly the look you want for your signature, with choices for imported graphics, fonts, colors, and scaling.
  
  
• Increased security -- The Banjo plug-in creates signatures with a higher level of visual security.  When you sign a document with the standard Adobe signature handler and then change something in the PDF (add or delete some text, for instance) the signature will still display as valid.  With a Banjo plug-in signature, this type of editing will immediately invalidate the signature.



• Ease of use -- The Banjo plug-in provide two unique, patent-pending methods of signing documents that are much easier to use than conventional methods.  The Click-Sign tool and the Multi-Sign signing mode can save significant time when signing documents, and can dramatically reduce the size of digitally-signed PDFs.
  
  
• More control -- From exact placement and scaling of your signature appearance in the document to detailed selections about display and printing, the Banjo plug-in gives you control over every part of the digital signature.

See the features page for more information.

What is a digital signature?

Digital signatures are basically simple. They are a way of confirming the authenticity and integrity of a digital document.  Authenticity means knowing who created the document; integrity means knowing that the document has not been modified since it was signed.

The digital signature must provide the recipient of the document with a means of verifying authenticity and integrity, even if the recipient has never before met or heard of the person who signed the document. 

A digital signature is a code - an encrypted number - that is attached to a digital document. The way in which this code is generated, and the means required to de-code it, are what makes the digital signature work.

For a more detailed description of how digital signatures work, see the help file documentation.

Can I just scan in my signature and make a "stamp" of this on my PDF file?  Isn't that the same thing?

A digital signature provides security features that go far beyond a simple stamped image of your signature.  Unlike a stamp, a digital signature cannot be copied or duplicated onto another document, and given the right security procedures, it cannot be forged.  Any alteration to a digitally-signed document will cause the digital signature to visibly change, thereby warning you of possible tampering.

Because of these additional security measures, only true digital signatures (not scans of written signatures) are generally accepted as a legal method of signing documents.

Is it legal to sign contracts with the Banjo plug-in?

Although requirements vary by country or region, digital signatures have wide legal acceptance.

In the United States, the Banjo plug-in complies with requirements of the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (US E-SIGN Act) and therefore can be used to create a legal, binding signature on any document permitted under this act.

In Canada, the plug-in complies with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act and may be used to sign a wide variety of documents.

Can the Banjo plug-in be used to sign architectural and engineering drawings?

For more information on this type of use, see the Architects and Engineers page.  In particular, the Architects and Engineers FAQ may be of interest.

Is the Banjo plug-in available for the Mac?

At present, no.  Development for the Mac may be considered in the future.

How can I find out more?

The best way is to download a free trial and start working.  The free trial version is fully functional, and will allow you to evaluate the software for three days.  Click here to go to the download page.

The "help" documentation will be loaded when you install the plug-in, but it is also available on-line.  Click here to read the help documentation.

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