Requirements For Use With Clericus Form Sets
If you are using the free Adobe Reader with the Clericus Form Sets, then note the Reader® information below; if you are using the Adobe Acrobat product, which retails for $299 from the Adobe Web Site, then note the Acrobat® Exchange information below.
If you are using a PCL printer, then note the Printer information below. Most HP Laser Jet Printers are PCL printers.
The Adobe Reader 3.0 must be used, along with the Forms Fill-in Plug-in 3.5 update. Below is a link to the site to download these two downloads from the Adobe web site:
http://www.adobe.com/supportservice/custsupport/download.html
From the above download page, and after selecting either Acrobat Reader or Acrobat Exchange you may choose the platform installed in your computer, i.e., Macintosh, Windows, DOS, Unix and OS/2. This will take you to a page of downloadable files.
After downloading both the Acrobat Reader (which is over 4M) and the January 26, 1998 Acrobat Forms Fill-in Plug-in 3.5 Update - English, 2427K, then install the Reader first followed by the plug-in. To install from Windows, double-click the "EXE" file (or Setup or Setup.exe file) and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation for both downloads..
After installation, check your Reader Help, About tab on the menu bar of the opening screen and make sure you have version 3.0 and Plug-in 3.5 for Acrobat Forms.
The full Adobe Acrobat 3.01 product must be purchased. Check the AEES Bulletins for ordering tips to get you the best possible price (see May 6, 1998 and April 8, 1998). After following the instructions for installing, then download the Forms Author Plug-in 3.5 update (2684K dated January 26, 1998). If you are using Windows, below is a link to the site to download this plug-in:
http://www.adobe.com/supportservice/custsupport/LIBRARY/acewin.htm
If you are not using Windows, click on the URL in the above Reader box for the download page and follow the instructions (choose your platform).
Once the Forms Author Plug-in 3.5 update is downloaded, then install it (installation instructions for Reader above apply).
After installation, check your Acrobat Exchange Help About tab on the menu bar of the opening screen and make sure you have version 3.01 and Plug-in 3.5 for Acrobat Forms..
If you are using PCL printers (most HP LaserJet printers are PCL), then you also need to download the Acrobat 3.01 Update for PCL Printing (aka Acrobat 3.01RA). A description of this as provided by Adobe is as follows:
The Adobe Acrobat Reader 3.01 Update for PCL Printing (also known as Acrobat 3.01RA) resolves a problem in which printing a PDF file to a PCL printer from an Adobe Acrobat 3.01 viewer (i.e., Reader or Exchange) results in blurry graphics. This update provides no other repairs, enhancements, or functionality. If you do not print to PCL printers, you do not need this update. To determine if your printer is a PCL printer, do one or more of the following:
-- contact your network administrator; see the documentation included with your printer or contact the printer manufacturer.
The above download may be found on the Reader's download page, dated July 17, 1998, 755K.
With Adobe Reader®, you can only view and print; you cannot save the file or summarize the notes that may be contained therein. However, AEES provides a NOTES. PDF file with every forms set so that you may view the notes with Reader. You can also click on the magenta note icons throughout the forms set to read the notes. Both Adobe Reader and Exchange will calculate the form fields created with Java Script, which are used throughout the AEES Forms Sets (currently for the Date Calc Charts, the Washington State Child Support Worksheets and the Garnishment set).
With Adobe Acrobat® Exchange, you may save the form set file to a client name and import and export the data or even save the entire PDF file. This is most helpful if you must shut down your computer and are in the middle of creating a form, etc. The magenta notes may be immediately summarized and reviewed on screen. AEES has also created other bookmarked PDF files that may be called from withing your form set for reference: King County Rules 98; Child Support Guidelines and the IRS Tax Tables.
Some of the Exchange features that you cannot use with the Clericus form sets, but which may be used in creating your own PDF files are the following:
1. You do not have access to the Form Tool nor the Text Tool, nor may you select the text and graphics for copying elsewhere.
2. You may not Extract pages nor make changes to the PDF file.
Below is a reprint from the May 27, 1998 AEES Bulletin indicating further reasons why you should purchase Acrobat Exchange.
You will not be giving up your favorite word processor to work with Adobe® Acrobat® Exchange when you create PDF files. PDF stands for Portable Document Format, a standard by which you may author a file from the software on your computer and then create a PDF that may be read with any other computer that has the free Adobe® Reader® software. Think what this will mean to your clients.
May we point out some of the advantages to you and your law firm if you obtain Exchange for your office:
(1) You can cut down on the amount of storage on your hard drive. PDF files are much smaller
than Word or Word Perfect files. Archive these files and retain PDF files for immediate viewing
and perusal. In this way, you may maintain the integrity of your original Word and Word Perfect
files and avoid any post editing or inadvertent deletions. A comparison of hard disk space, for the
April 29, 1998 Thurston County note form, page 1, is as follows:
| Word 7 | WordPerfect 8 | Adobe PDF |
| 74,752 | 90,305 | 35,152 |
This is just an example of one page. If you add pages to the PDF file and keep doing a Save As command, you will compress it even further because the file, in making additional compressions, extracts out all duplicate graphics, retains one copy of each, and knows where to put them when you open the PDF file.
(2) Get Input From Your Partners, Associates, Colleagues, Etc. - perhaps you would like input from other members in your firm or even colleagues in other law offices. Retain your original and email copies to everyone on your select list with the request to view the document and attach notes. However, have them email you only the notes (with the Export Notes command). Once the notes have all been received, they may be imported back into your original document, on the pages to which they pertain to, and you will be able to distinguish who authored the note as his/her name will appear on the title bar in his/her assigned color. Once imported, you may select the Summarize Notes command and have all the comments appear in a document that may be printed.
(3) Create A Client PDF File - turn all your client's documents, briefs, motions, etc. into one PDFfile to send periodically to your client. This file may be password protected and security may be added so that your client cannot change anything in the file. The file may be emailed to the clients; or if the file contains sensitive or financial data, etc., you may wish to simply mail a floppy disk. This is a great way to keep your clients informed. Every single piece of paper, including the interview questionnaire (scan it in with the Adobe® Acrobat Capture program), letters, court documents and briefs, etc., may be included so that your client may see how your time is being utilized on their behalf. Your support staff will cut down on time spent at the fax or copying machines, addressing envelopes and the cost of paper and postage, etc.
Changes are easily incorporated. You make the change in your word processor, save the file once again to a PDF and use the Replace Pages command from within Exchange. Or, if it is merely a typo and a few words on a line, then you can use the Exchange Text Tool directly on the PDF document to make the changes. If you are adding documents as time goes on, then you need only use the Insert Pages command (probably following the last page of your PDF file).Then send your client updated copies on a periodic basis.
(4) Get Input From Your Clients - On the other hand, you may wish to have your client add notes to your documents if your client also has the proper Adobe® Acrobat software.
(5) Obtain Government Documents - presently there are over 100 government web sites that create PDF files for distribution. Of interest locally are the U. S. District Court, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in California, the U. S. Bankruptcy Court and the IRS Forms web sites which include PDF files for one to download. Once these are downloaded, you may use Exchange to bookmark the PDF files, extract portions for use in your briefs, etc and even add form fields to an IRS form. Using the Exchange Find command is also useful. And creating a catalog of all files is something else you may wish to do. You may, of course, use the free Adobe® Reader to view these files.
(6) Create Your Own PDF Forms - you can with the forms authoring 3.5 plug in attach form fields to any page of any PDF file and thereby create fill in areas for both your office and court forms, non AEEScopyrighted forms of course. Order the Clericus Form Sets, which are being created to save you time and money. Only AEES members may license the software at low licensing fees. Yes, you may be able to recreate a similar set. However, isn't your paralegal or associate's time worth more than the typical licensing fee, i.e., the $25 for the Date Calculator Charts? Days were spent creating these charts and you must have knowledge of Java Script. Leave the form creation to AEES. We have great things coming up in the near future.
Editor's Note - a recent visit to Adobe's web site: http//adobe.com indicated that they are
presently having a special promotional bundle for Windows 95 users. You can download the
Adobe® Reader plus the PDF Writer for $29.95. With the PDF Writer you can create your own
PDF files and then view them with the free Adobe Reader. But, why not order the Adobe®
Acrobat® instead and get PDF Writer, Distiller, Capture, Catalog & Exchange, etc. for $99.99
and use with Clericus. See the AEES May 6 issue or call 1-888-502-5275 for this limited time
offer. You must provide your King County Business license # or your Bar #.
Mail to: AEES, P. O. Box 7418, Bellevue, WA. 98008-1418
Telephone: (206) 747-5242- - - -Fax: (206) 865-8040
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Copyright (c) 1998-2002 Attorney's Eagle Eye Service, Inc.