Use VB to launch file in assoc. program

I’m sort of new to Visual Basic and I’m trying to figure out a way to open a PDF file in Acrobat Reader using Visual Basic. The Adobe site says that Reader does not allow automation, so you can’t hook into it’s object model. I was wondering if there was a way to launch a file and have it open in it’s associated program. Sort of like when you double click a file in Explorer, or enter the file and path in the Start – Run dialog box. Do I have to use the API? Am I missing something? I tried looking for answers on many websites, but couldn’t find anything that addresses this. I’m stumped!!! Thanks for your help!!