Problem with Sumatra

DR M · March 02, 2015, 01:07:38 PM

A problem with Sumatra pdf occured today... An application form sent to a friend could not be opened with Sumatra, and was asking for downloading Adobe Reader. I personally advised my friend uninstall Adobe Reader and replace it with Sumatra, few months ago, but today he had to reinstall it.

Do you know why this happened? It's racism against every pdf reader software except Adobe!!!!

winchester73 · March 02, 2015, 01:29:31 PM

Is he able to manually open the PDF file by selecting the File>Open option from within Sumatra?

Racism? :uhm:

DR M · March 02, 2015, 01:36:50 PM

No. A warning pops up, saying that Adobe Reader must be downloaded.

And of course, he downloaded it and everything is ok now... So, without Adobe, nothing can be done??

winchester73 · March 02, 2015, 01:49:24 PM

Is the application form one of those where you can fill in the information on-screen (useful for printing out a 'completed' form rather than printing a 'blank' and then filling everything in by hand)?

If so, it would appear that Sumatra cannot fill in forms. A script in the .pdf detects the default viewer and checks if it can fill forms. If it knows it can't, it proposes a link to download Adobe Reader (which can fill forms).

Pete! · March 02, 2015, 03:34:11 PM

FYI:
PDF-XChange Viewer has a free version that can deal with "Fillable" pdf forms.
http://www.tracker-software.com/product/downloads/

I don't see it discussed much on forums like this, so I can't speak to it's security.
It hasn't caused me any grief.
A lot less bloated than the Adobe Reader.

winchester73 · March 03, 2015, 02:43:40 PM

PDF-XChange Viewer gets good reviews, but I've never used it. I think Foxit will fill in forms, it's another free program with good reviews.

Is this issue resolved?

DR M · March 03, 2015, 06:41:14 PM

The issue is resolved, but the ''solution'' for my friend was the Adobe Reader download.

If I ever come into such a situation, I will try one of your solutions.

Meanwhile, I wish that Sumatra's creator will find something to fix this limitation.

Thank you, all. :mitch:

winchester73 · March 03, 2015, 06:55:16 PM

I use Adobe Reader XI without any difficulties :D

DR M · March 03, 2015, 07:11:03 PM

Quote from: winchester73 on March 03, 2015, 06:55:16 PM
I use Adobe Reader XI without any difficulties :D

And I hate Adobe! It's a long story! :grin:

plodr · March 04, 2015, 12:23:01 AM

It must be something on that particular website.
I go to the State tax site and the Federal tax site and I have no problem using Sumatra.

I haven't had Adobe Reader on any of our computers for maybe 10 years. I used Foxit until that became bloated and kept adding "features" that I didn't want or need so I switched to Sumatra.

Of course I haven't been to a site where I needed to fill out a form so I can't say how well or poor Sumatra would do.
(I'll keep Pete's suggestion on the back burner if Sumatra fails me at some site).

winchester73 · March 04, 2015, 12:39:15 AM

Plodr ... Have you ever used Nitro?

plodr · March 04, 2015, 05:18:04 AM

Yes and dopdf too.

Pete! · March 04, 2015, 03:26:19 PM

Quote from: plodr on March 04, 2015, 12:23:01 AM
It must be something on that particular website.
I go to the State tax site and the Federal tax site and I have no problem using Sumatra.

I haven't had Adobe Reader on any of our computers for maybe 10 years. I used Foxit until that became bloated and kept adding "features" that I didn't want or need so I switched to Sumatra.

Of course I haven't been to a site where I needed to fill out a form so I can't say how well or poor Sumatra would do.
(I'll keep Pete's suggestion on the back burner if Sumatra fails me at some site).

I never had trouble loading a "fillable" form with Sumatra, but I couldn't fill them out unless I saved the form, and re-opened it with PDF-XChange Viewer.
Using PDF-XChange Viewer to begin with saves me a step.
Alternatively... you can just print it, and fill it out the old fashioned way (with a pen).

plodr · March 04, 2015, 04:54:48 PM

QuoteAlternatively... you can just print it, and fill it out the old fashioned way (with a pen).

That's me! Miss old fashioned. :grin:

I'm working on my taxes today.
I download the pdfs from the State and the Federal then print out and start working. I still file the old way on paper by snail mail.

Pete! · March 04, 2015, 05:16:35 PM

Quote from: plodr on March 04, 2015, 04:54:48 PM
QuoteAlternatively... you can just print it, and fill it out the old fashioned way (with a pen).
That's me! Miss old fashioned. :grin:

I'm working on my taxes today.
I download the pdfs from the State and the Federal then print out and start working. I still file the old way on paper by snail mail.

Those forums from the IRS are most likely "fillable".
I can't speak for PA, but most NJ tax forms are as well.
Most recently, I filled out the local "dog license" form before printing.

We're getting a little off topic....