The new forms can be used in a number of ways, illustrated by the following (slightly modified) explanation sent to a new user:
You have several alternatives.
1. If you have the full distribution or the (much less expensive) business version of Acrobat, you can Import/Export the form data using built-in tools of Acrobat. It helps if you're an educator, as you'd then qualify for the academic price for the full distribution.
2. You can use the interactive version, which will be available to licensed users, when I have determined what the license terms will be. In the mean time, I've put up a trial version at my web site, which you can use for now.
The only price you pay for trial use is having to suffer the banner ads at Tripod. The free hosting at Tripod has made it possible for me to develop a robust product that will still be inexpensive.
You must also be connected to your ISP to use the form, although you can enter data offline.
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. To load the form, go to http://segraves.tripod.com/index3.htm. Select the form you wish to use. When the form loads, take note if it appears in your browser window or in the Acrobat Reader window. It SHOULD be in the browser window, which means Reader is operating as a "plugin" in the browser.
2. Fill in some data.
3. Click on the "Submit Form Data" button at the bottom of the form.
If you're using MSIE:
4. The data should be returned to you as a ".TMP" file. Save the data with a convenient filename, e.g., "applicant_name.fdf" to a convenient location, e.g., Desktop. Note: For testing, you can use the .TMP filename that is returned. It works just fine.
If you're using Netscape:
4. The data should be returned to you as text in the browser window. Do "File + Save As" to save it with a convenient filename, e.g., "applicant_name.fdf", also to a convenient location, e.g., Desktop.
5. Later, when you'd like to continue the job, you can open the PDF form again, after which you should use the "Retrieve Form Data" button to retrieve your data.
This new form gives you complete freedom to exploit your ingenuity. For example, you can fill in your own personal data as far as you'd like, and then "Submit" the personal data, saving the resulting FDF for reuse. You'll never have to enter that data again, no matter how many times you use the form.
Please let me know how this new form works for you.
I hope my ideas are helpful to you.
Sincerely,
William Alexander Segraves
E-mail:
Revision History: / 10Apr2001 - Original issue / 21Aug2002 - Address and E-mail link removed /