PSLAC — HELP. PDF Files

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HELP

Puget Sound Leather Artisans Co-Op (PSLAC)

Adobe does support their Adobe Reader Product and have a special HELP section for most problems. Please visit their site at:

http://www.adobe.com/support/reader/

Adobe also supplied notes, with the FREE Reader, that describe some common problems in installation and use. Please refer to the Adobe Acrobat Reader notes supplied.

Here are some common questions and answers that have come to the PSLAC and the RawHide Gazette:

Q1: Why are the RawHide Gazette Issues in the Adobe "PDF" file format?
Q2: How do I view the RawHide Gazette with my internet browser (e.g. Netscape, MS Internet Explorer, etc)?
Q3: Where can I get the FREE Adobe Reader (Version 4.0 or higher)
Q4: My browser asks me if I want save the file to my hard drive or launch an application to view it, which should I do?
Q5: My browser asks warns me that is I launch the view that the PDF file could damage my hard drive, what should I do?
Q6: I want to view the PDF file that I download to the hard drive after I have disconnected from the Internet, what do I do?
Q7: I try to print the PDF file, but the text looks like strange symbols, what is wrong?
Q8: Nothing works for me and I don't know where to start, what should I do?
Q9: I have Netscape Navigator version 3, what should the helper configuration look like after the Adobe Reader has been installed?
Q10: I have Netscape Communicator version 4, what should the helper configuration look like after the Adobe Reader has been installed?
Q11: I want to save the PDF file to my disk for future reference, how do I set up the browser?
Q12: I want to launch the Adobe PDF reader to view the file "on-line", how do I set up the browser?
Q12: I want to launch the Adobe PDF reader as a helper program to view the full page outside the browser, how do I set up the browser?
Q13: I download the PDF file to my MAC, but I can't decipher them, I always get a screen that says "file that reads %pdf" cannot be found, what is wrong?
Q14: I have Internet Explorer 4.x, and I tried to view a PDF Rawhide Gazette issue and got a blank page like a piece of paper on the screen with no printing or a totally blank screen, what is wrong?
Q15: I have Internet Explorer 3.x, and I don't know how to tell my browser to save the file to disk instead of having it launch Adobe Reader, what can I do?
Q16: How can I download the PDF file to keep the file for reference and printing?
Q17: I have been having a problem down loading the Gazette, it will not except my password and the message "too many parameters " keeps coming up?
Q18: The following error message when accessing the link for the Adobe Acrobat issue of the RawHide Gazette:
"You are not authorized to view this page"
"You might not have permission to view this directory or page using the
credentials you supplied."

TECH NOTES: Netscape 2.x/3.x Technical Notes

Q1: Why are the RawHide Gazette Issues in the Adobe "PDF" file format?

The Puget Sound Leather Artistans Co-Op (PSLAC) started as a "print based" newsletter that was US Postal mailed to its members. It has out grown the US Postal mailings and has expanded on to the Internet, but many of our members do not have access to the Internet. So, we continue to produce the printed copy and Adobe's Acrobat Tools allow us to produce a "PDF" file that can be both (1) printed and mailed, and (2) viewed on the Internet.

Q2: How do I view the RawHide Gazette with my internet browser (e.g. Netscape, MS Internet Explorer, etc)?

First you must obtain the FREE Adobe Reader (Version 3.0 or higher).

Q3: Where can I get the FREE Adobe Reader (Version 4.0 or higher)?

You can find the FREE Adobe Reader (Version 4.0 or higher) at: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html
or click on the PDF ICON

...for your FREE copy.

Q4: My browser asks me if I want save the file to my hard drive or launch an application to view it, which should I do?

(1) Save it to your hard drive, if you want to keep a copy for reference, or (2) View it just to read the issue. In either case you can print the issue for your reference

Q5: My browser asks warns me that is I launch the view that the PDF file could damage my hard drive, what should I do?

This statement was given by Netscape Communicator. A sample screen shot of the message is shown here. It is making you aware that there are viruses that can be gotten from applications such as: MS Word, MS Excel, any file with and ".EXE" suffix and even Adobe PDF files. This is your decision. Bob Stelmack creates the files and places them on the server. Those files have been virus scanned and certified.

Q6: I want to view the PDF file that I download to the hard drive after I have disconnected from the Internet, what do I do?

Just find the file with the "Find Files or Folders" feature and double click on it.

Q7: I try to print the PDF file, but the text looks like strange symbols, what is wrong?

One of two things: (1) You need to get the current verion of Adobe Reader or (2) Your monitor driver software is not correct. The second problem is a little difficult to describe in few words, but here goes:
First the Adobe Reader takes advantage of the monitor's driver to intermrdiately print the data from the PDF file and then prints the information to the printer. My suggestion to you is find someone who is familiar with drivers and hardware (some computer geek) and ask them to obtain the most current monitor driver for you monitor from the monitor's web site. You can also just do it yourself. If you have problems -- please email webmaster@pslac.org for additional help. Bob Stelmack has been able to assist many in this process.

Q8: Nothing works for me and I don't know where to start, what should I do?

Please email webmaster@pslac.org for help.

Q9: I have Netscape Navigator version 3, what should the helper configuration look like after the Adobe Reader has been installed?

Start the Netscape Version 3.x and from the OPTIONS pull down menu select GENERAL PREFERENCES. Then select the HELPERS tab and your helpers for the PDF type file should look like this.

Q10: I have Netscape Communicator version 4, what should the helper configuration look like after the Adobe Reader has been installed?

Start the Netscape Communicator 4.x and from the EDIT pull down menu select PREFERENCES. The configuration should look like this. Then select the EDIT button and your helpers for the PDF type file should look like this.

Q11: I want to save the PDF file to my disk for future reference, how do I set up the browser?

Refer to questions 9 and 10 and check the option that says "Save to Disk".

Q12: I want to launch the Adobe PDF reader to view the file "on-line", how do I set up the browser?

Refer to questions 9 and 10, select "launch application" and browse to locate the Adobe PDF Reader program (AcroRD32.exe).

Here are some additional notes on setting up the broswer to disable the veiw the file "on-line" and remove the Netscape Plugin functionality

Some users may choose to implement Acrobat reader as a helper application rather that a Netscape Plug-in. This will allow them to take advantage of full screen display of PDF files. The installation file automatically installs Acrobat Reader 3.0 as a plug-in. There are no options for modifying the installation, making this configuration change is a manual process.

To use Acrobat as a helper:

Install the Acrobat Reader normally by running ar32e30.exe or ar16e30.exe
After the installation is complete, locate the file nppdf32.dll or nppdf16.dll and delete that file from the \program\plugins\ directory. This directory will be located under the Netscape installation directory path which may vary with individual installations.
Then add Acrobat as a helper application. (These instructions assume Netscape Navigator 3.0)
With Netscape loaded and running, select "Options", "General Preferences"
Select the "Helpers" tab.
Scroll down the list until you find the File type "application/pdf". The Extension for this file type is "pdf".
Select "application/pdf" by clicking on that line.
Click the "Browse" button and point to "AcroRd32.exe" (the location of this file will depend on local installation location)
Press the "OK" button to complete the configuration change.

Q13: I download the PDF file to my MAC, but I can't decipher them, I always get a screen that says "file that reads %pdf" cannot be found, what is wrong?

First you must obtain the FREE Adobe Reader (Version 3.0 or higher). You can find the FREE Adobe Reader (Version 3.0 or higher) at: http://www.adobe.com/prodindex/acrobat/readstep.html
or click on the PDF ICON

...for your FREE copy.

Q14: I have Internet Explorer 4.x, and I tried to view a PDF Rawhide Gazette issue and got a blank page like a piece of paper on the screen with no printing or a totally blank screen, what is wrong?

Try uninstalling and reinstalling the Adobe Acrobat Reader (Version 3.0 or higher). Try uninstalling and reinstalling the browser (do this only if you have installed the browser yourself).

Q15: I have Internet Explorer 3.x, and I don't know how to tell my browser to save the file to disk instead of having it launch Adobe Reader, what can I do?

Here are a series of screen shots that start with VIEW menu OPTIONS... selection.

The OPTIONS shows the TAB PROGRAMS selected.

Use the VIEWERS window section and select the FILE TYPES... This FILE TYPES window shows the Abobe Acrobat Document file type selected.

Use the EDIT button to change the options. The EDIT FILE TYPE window shows the OPEN action selected.

At this point you could REMOVE the OPEN action
...or...
select the EDIT... function to alter the ACTION.
I suggest the last editing only for those who have some knowledge of the MicroSoft's Registry Edit (not for the faint at heart).

Q16: How can I download the PDF file to keep the file for reference and printing?

To download a PDF file from a link:

Right-click the link to a PDF file, then choose Save Link As (Internet Explorer 3.x) or Save Target As (Internet Explorer 4.x or AOL) from the pop-up menu.
In the Save As dialog box, select a location on your hard drive, then click Save.

To download an open PDF file (Internet Explorer 3.x or earlier only):

Choose File > Save As.
In the Save As dialog box, select a location on your hard drive, then click Save.

Then, in either case, use the Windows Explorer to locate the saved file and double click on it to launch the Adobe Reader.

Q17: I have been having a problem down loading the Gazette, it will not except my password and the message "too many parameters " keeps coming up?

The problem using Net Demon Zip (made by Real Player). I removed the program and I just ran the Net Zip 7.0 back on and no nroblem so if you do have a member with a problem ask about the Zip program they are using.

Q18: The following error message when accessing the link for the Adobe Acrobat issue of the RawHide Gazette:
"You are not authorized to view this page"
"You might not have permission to view this directory or page using the
credentials you supplied."

Shut down firewall software, Zone Alarm Pro 3.0 in this case, and page will load.
Also, had a prompt come up for whether it was OK to run Active X controls (may have some of the scripts and Active X as Prompt, rather than Enabled).
Re-enable the firewall.

Web Browser Issues

Netscape Navigator 2.0 or 3.0 Issues:

Acrobat Reader 3.0 and Netscape Navigator communicate with each other via two plug-ins installed by Adobe Acrobat 3.0; one called EWH on the Acrobat side in the Reader\PLUG_INS folder and one called nppdf32.dll or nppdf16.dll in the Netscape\Navigator\Program\plugins folder. Opening an Acrobat document from within a copy of Netscape Navigator which uses an old version of the nppdf32.dll or nppdf16.dll plug-in may cause your browser to crash. For best results, make sure both plug-ins are from the same Acrobat release.

If you would prefer to use Acrobat Reader as a helper application, be sure to remove nppdf32.dll or nppdf16.dll from Navigator's plug-ins folder and then configure the Acrobat Reader as a helper application.