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Problems with Adobe Acrobat
Reader
 | 6 December 2003 -
Update
I no longer post match results in Adobe Acrobat (pdf) format nor do
I post in the traditional .html with ASCII text format. I now
use a script file that calls match results from previously saved
ASCII files created by the EZ WinScore program. If you get the
following error after clicking on a link to a match:
JumpNcount Error Response
The program has responded with an error
The result is:
Bad Referrer
Remote access denied
Simply highlight the filename
displayed in your browser, type Ctrl O (that is the letter o) and
then Ctrl V. Ctrl O opens a new browser and Ctrl V pastes the
URL you just highlighted. This way, you are directing your
browser to go directly to the URL name and bypassing my JumpNcount
script. JumpNcount is simply a counter that tells me how many
hits a certain pages gets from my USPSA main web page. For
some unknown reason, it does not work on all computers.
A sample match filename will be something like this: If it is
not a long filename like this, then it probably won't work.
"http://uspsa2.org/match_results/match_disp.php?match=20030913&club=SLA
If
this does not work - try turning off your Firewall - then
try to access the file. If that works, then turn your Firewall
back on. Firewalls usually hide IP addresses from the
receiving location and my script is looking for a valid IP address. |
| Other users are experiencing problems
with the Acrobat Reader.
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| The first "fix" may be as
simple as highlighting the filename and path displayed at the top of
your browser (Netscape or Internet Explorer) after you have received
some sort of error from the Adobe Reader. After highlighting
the filename and path of the match you are trying to open, type
<Ctrl><C> (copy), then type <Ctrl><O> (that
is the letter "o"), which will open a new box in your
browser waiting for a URL name, then type <Ctrl><V>
(paste) (that is the letter '"v">, then click on your
<enter> key. This method is simply telling your browser
to open the filename directly from the path on the web site.
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| Further, I realize that there are many users
who do not like the Adobe .pdf files format and would rather I post
results the same way I used to (html files). Unfortunately,
the new EZzWinScore program is the culprit. I can print the
match results to a text file, however, the new program does not
format the output the same as the old EZ Score program. The
resulting files are too wide for viewing on some browsers without having to scroll
back and forth the see each line of results. Editing these
files to make them easier to view is a very time consuming project.
I used to be able to complete a match in 20minutes with EZ Score. To
achieve the same "viewable" results with the new program
takes me over 2 hours for one match. I don't have that much
free time and patience to make all the editing changes. I
report results on over 20 clubs, that's a minimum of 42 hours work to
edit the text files and that doesn't count editing the other pages
on the web site for the links to work properly..
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| I have visited many other club web sites
and the only format they use is what the USPSA program prints.
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| Prior to Dec 2003 - One of the USPSA Members turned me on to
Adobe Acrobat. I can now create and post a match in 20 minutes
again. The Adobe Reader is a "free"
program and many web sites use the format. I know it takes a
long time to download the program if you are using a slow dial-up
connection, but once downloaded and installed, it normally is not a
problem, just takes a few seconds to load and match results
requested after the initial load of the reader will usually load
faster.
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| If you get an error message "File
Damaged", etc, when you try to open match results and it
appears your Acrobat Reader has loaded the file, try your
"reload" or "refresh" button in your browser a
couple of times. Sometimes this will clear the problem and
allow the file to open. I access the files from four different
computers, two are mine and two are networked computers at work. I
never have any problems accessing the .pdf files.
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| Check the Adobe website and the below
links. The specific browsers may be configured as a
"plug-in" or as a "helper file." The
default set up for both Netscape and Internet Explorer is as a
"plug-in." However, this set up does not work, for
some unknown reason, on all computers. The fix is changing the
browser configuration to use the reader as a "helper
file." Click the links below for your specific browser to
view a step by step explanation on how to change your browser
configuration.
If you use Netscape - click on link below:
http://www.adobe.com/support/techguides/acrobat/rdrwinbrwsr/main.html
If you use Internet Explorer - click on link below:
http://www.adobe.com/support/techguides/acrobat/rdrwinbrwsr/page2.html
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| In the meantime, you can still view
match results in ASCII (typewriter keyboard) text. Access to
the ASCII text files is only available in the All
Match Results page. After you get to the matches page,
select the club from the top drop down menu, then select the year of
the match drop down menu, then select "Q & D ASCII
Text" under the match date you are interested in viewing.
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| Otherwise, more extreme measures may be required,
removal and re-installation of your Acrobat Reader. Windows
operating systems, unfortunately, after many opening and closing of
files, improper shutdowns, etc., cause DLL (executable files) to
become corrupt. When you experience problems with a program
over and over, sometimes it is better to remove the program and
re-install it. This is true with any Windows program, not just
the Acrobat Reader. You may even need to remove and re-install
your browser. It may even be time to reformat your hard drive
and re-install everything.
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| As routine maintenance, I back-up all
my data and reformat my hard drives and re-install everything at
least once a year. Everyone does not need to complete this
unpleasant task this often if they only use their computers for
"normal" use. I use my computers every day and I am constantly uploading,
downloading, installing, un-installing software, so I would be
considered a "heavy" user.
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| If you use Web TV or have a very old
computer (386 or 486) and cannot use the Acrobat Reader, again, you still have
the option of the ASCII text files, otherwise, it may be time to
consider moving up to a "real computer."
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| Please send me a
e-mail
when you have problems with this site and I will try to help you
resolve the problem. Do not send messages to your club
President, Stats Person, etc. These people are kindly taking
the time to send the files to me for posting. They have nothing to do with how
or when the match results get posted on this website.
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Jerry Mallard
Area 2 Webmaster
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