Just in case anyone is interested (and doesn't know like me), I've found a few new "features" in Reader 6.0 that one should note when making PDF fields with Acrobat 5.05:
1. app.execMenuItem("Paste") is no longer a valid function in Reader 6.0. This script worked fine with older versions of the Reader (5.0 - 5.1, and 4.05). For some reason though, they've seen fit to either remove this from the list of accepted _javascript_ code, or they've changed it's syntax somehow (not having a copy of Acrobat 6.0, I am unable to determine which case it is).
2. The Execute Menu Item commands are of course different now so you have to author everything in Acrobat 6.0 which means the PDF will only work with the Reader 6.0 (according to what's been repoted to me--thanks Duff Johnson), since it's not for some strange reason backwards compatible.
3. There is an interesting change to the Full Screen behavior in Reader 6.0. In earlier versions, you had to tell it through code if you wanted a mouse click to advance through the pages. Now, however, it is ASSUMED you want the mouse click to advance the pages automatically. You need to code in a line that tells it otherwise (app.fs.clickAdvances = false;).
4. From what I understand from reading posts on this forum, Reader 6.0 has a DRAMATICALLY smaller glob.js filesize (2 KB I think). If this is true, those individuals trying to utilize that file for data storage REALLY have to be frugal with what their form stores. It's now really only good for very small 1-2 page forms.
Adobe is REALLY pushing for EVERYONE to upgrade to 6.0 apparently. A fellow court official stated that she tried to get licensing for the 5.0 Adobe version, and it was VERY difficult (but possible still). That's to be expected I suppose when a new version is released, but I would expect backwards compatibility to be better (this isn't MicroSoft you know).
Since we post our PDF's to the public, we can't DEMAND that everyone use the 6.0 Reader, because such a large population of people out there are still using the 5.0 version. I hate to force our applicants to sit through another 8.0 MB download on their dial-up connection just to address a few backwards incompatibility issues. Maybe a newer version of the Reader will come along (hope hope) that will be a little more backwards friendly.
This is just a small list I've made up so far that really only deals with some coding differences. Just wanted to let others know of these issues in case they're still trying to author with Acrobat 5.05. Maybe I've saved someone from some trouble.
Thanks for all the useful tips everyone.
Brian Mihalic
LAN Technician
The PA Board of Law Examiners
5070A Ritter Road, Suite 300
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
717-795-7270
