From: robin_listas@es.invalid   
      
   On 2024-10-24 16:51, TJ wrote:   
   > On 2024-10-24 10:01, Carlos E.R. wrote:   
   >> On 2024-10-24 15:33, Marco Moock wrote:   
   >>> On 24.10.2024 um 07:39 Uhr TJ wrote:   
   >>>   
   >>>> I need Windows Adobe Reader for my state tax forms,   
   >>>   
   >>> If such stuff doesn't work in other readers (maybe try evince) I print   
   >>> that out and use my typewriter to fill it out and either I send it via   
   >>> Fax or via snailmail, with a notice that I don't have Windows and can't   
   >>> do this task on other operating systems.   
   >>   
   >> Editable Forms do not work right with ANY linux PDF viewer, and not at   
   >> all when they use script (javascript? I have forgotten which). The   
   >> only valid tool is the Adobe reader, and the Linux version is ancient   
   >> (abandonware) and may not run in a current Linux. Nor does the windows   
   >> version run under Wine.   
   >>   
   >> Foxit is the only reader I have found that can display XFA forms   
   >> tolerably well in Linux, and not always.   
   >>   
   > This form has enhanced capabilities, primary of which is placing   
   > driver's license information within a bar code, to attempt to prevent   
   > fraud (someone else filing before I do, and collecting my refund)   
   >   
   > The bar code version can only be printed with Adobe Reader. It may not   
   > be restricted to Windows, might be possible with a Mac, but emulating   
   > Win7 in vbox is easier than a Mac OS.   
   >   
   > They do have another form that can be used with Linux, but it doesn't   
   > have the bar codes, is less secure, and takes longer to get through the   
   > state's system.   
   >   
   > Yes, I could jump through hoops to use only Linux, but I'm 75, and don't   
   > have enough years left to waste on being stubborn.   
      
   You are absolutely right.   
      
   For a while, Adobe had a version for Linux which would work, but at some   
   point they abandoned Linux. It is a shame. Forms that run code   
   (Javascript) do not work in Linux. Code can be used to print barcodes or   
   dotcodes, for instance; but in the case of tax forms they can do   
   calculations and fill boxes depending on what you input in other boxes,   
   or do validation calculations.   
      
   I am fortunate that my country does the tax form using web forms that   
   run in any operating system. But some ministries and regional   
   governments use Adobe forms.   
      
   The only possible alternative is running Adobe Reader through emulation.   
   Wine doesn't work, so it has to be a virtual machine, running Windows,   
   maybe Apple, maybe Android (I say maybe because I do not know nor tested   
   personally).   
      
      
   There is another reason I also keep a virtual machine with Windows 10   
   (and not W11 because it refuses to update in vmware or virtualbox), and   
   is ADE (Adobe Digital Editions). It is needed to buy protected ebooks   
   and read them in the computer or in an ebook reader.   
      
   --   
   Cheers, Carlos.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)