How To Create a Fillable PDF Form

Not many of us realized that the PDF (Portable Document Format - the file which encapsulates a complete description of a fixed-layout 2-D document) documents can be edited and most of all can be fill up with texts and figures (type on a pdf file) after it has been created. This is because most of us only have the 'Reader' for the purpose of viewing the pdf documents that we've received from someone. In other words, we could not amend, edit or modify the documents using the "Reader". There are plenty of free to download pdf reader/viewer available such as Adobe Reader, Foxit Reader, PDF XChange Viewer, Sumatra PDF and so on.

In our daily live as a students, government servants, office workers etc., sometime we have came across forms that has to be filled repeatedly which has only slight changes in content such as application forms, booking forms, order forms, purchase requests and so forth. Conventionally we have to fill it, print it and hand it over, fax it or post it out.
These forms actually can be converted into pdf doc (files) electronically or scanned as images. To make it fillable, we have to modify it or we may create a fresh new form using the Adobe® LiveCycle® Designer (ALD) which is bundled together with the Adobe® Acrobat® Pro (AAP). We may transform any PDF file into an interactive form with various field types and formatting options. The ALD also use scripting features to add even more functionality to PDF forms. We may say it as an advanced pdfs.  Adobe® LiveCycle® Designer software provides robust and intuitive tools for creating interactive forms and personalized documents. With this forms, it will enable anyone using the 'Reader' to fill in and save to pdf forms locally. No more printing and faxing.

However in this post, I will show you how to pdf a document and how to create a simple fillable PDF form using a pdf creator product such as Adobe Acrobat Professional 8.0 and Adobe LiveCycle Designer from an electronically converted pdf document such as pdf document converted from Microsoft Word.
Let us have a sample of a pdf document to work with. For example this application form which was downloaded from Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia for publisher to apply the ISBN for their publications.

First Run the AAP. In the drop down menu under the 'Forms' tab select the 'Create New Form'. [To view pictures clearly, right click and open link in a new tab.]

The Pop up menu of 'How would you like to create your interactive form' will appear on the screen. There are four options to select from (i.e., i - Select a template; ii - Start with an electronic document; iii - Import data from a spreadsheet; iv-Scan from paper). In this example we select the second option and click 'Continue'. Then another pop up of the info about creating and distributing forms will appear. Just click 'Continue'.

Another pop up menu will appear for locating the document. Locate the downloaded document by browsing our hard disk and open that particular file. Then click 'Next'.

AAP will import the selected document and created a new pdf document. Then click 'Next'. Another pop up will appear. On this menu, we have to decide how we would like to identify the fields on our document. Choose 'Run Auto Field Detection' and click 'Next' and then 'Next' again. Form fields are automatically recognized and converted to fillable fields.

Congratulation! We've succeeded in creating a new fillable pdf document using AAP. The bluish fields on the document that we've just created represent the fillable areas. Now we are ready to edit our document in ALD. By clicking 'Done' our works in AAP end here.

Immediately, ALD will pop opened on the screen with a 'New Form Assistant' menu, showing the third step of the Form Return Setup (i.e, Adding buttons). The first and the second step has been done using the AAP. We have two option here. To add an 'email' button and/or a 'print' button. In this simple example, I decided just to add the 'print' button and unchecked the option for an 'email' button and click 'Finish'.

Now we have a document with a fillable fields in ALD that need to be modified. The document can be edited by deleting unwanted fields and inserting additional fields and adjust them to suit our need.

In the 'Design View' tab of the ALD, we can just drag in the Text fields, Numeric Fields, Date/Time Fields, Document Signature Fields, Image Fields and much more from the Library.

After we've added the text fields to the form design, we may edit the caption text and manipulate the object’s properties in the Field, Value, and Binding tabs of the Object palette. We may also define their properties. For example, predefine some fields such as name, address, telephone numbers and so on by inserting the default text on the 'Value' tab. This field however can still be change or edited after the form has been created.

We may preview our fillable pdf form by clicking the 'Preview PDF' tab next to the 'Design View' tab. Finally, if everything is set to our satisfaction, we may save the document and the document now is a fillable pdf document.

Look at this form after it has been modified and makes fillable. Isn't it nice and convenience? Click on it and down load to give it a try and good luck.


You may use pdf maker product such as this New Corel PDF Fusion PDF editor and Converter to convert easily your office document to pdf format within seconds and view over 100 file formats.
Only $69.99. 

If you like this post, please bookmark and share. Thank you

Animated Header for Blogger

By Roshidan Rashid

Updated : Animated images could make our website's layout or presentations catchy but it may also distracting and annoying if its overdo.

I have received a few requests from my blog site's visitors who interested in animated images for blogs, to teach them how I have created my Blogger-hosted animated header. So as not to turn them down, in this post I will try to show you how I have created (an animated gif image file) and uploaded the file as my blog site header.

Its quite simple but it seem a bit complicated to those who are not familiar with the application software such as Adobe Photoshop, SWiSHmax or/and Adobe Flash.

Its actually a GIF animation file format (the only allowed Blogger-hosted animated image file). Uploaded to Picasa Web Album and installed to Blogger template. It is as simple as that.

How to make gif animated file?

I started by creating the background of the header using a graphic application software that I am familiar with that is the Adobe Photoshop. The width of the background actually was designed for my previous template which is 900 x 100 pixels in dimension. I have created several designs and saved this static pictures to gif or as a jpeg file.

Then, I used SWiSHmax (Flash or Shockwave application software) to create the animated text effect by importing the background file into it. SWiSHmax has plenty of preset effects that can be used to make our presentation looks stunning and impressive. I've used the preset animated effects for my animated blog header namely "Move together from random direction", "Vortex up and slide forward" with "Squash out" and "Typewriter".

The latest SWiSHmax3 has the advanced flash creation tool for the graphic artist or web professional. It could creates stunning flash animations and websites with ease. It also includes over 350 preset multimedia effects and over 180 ready-to-use components and vector shapes. It has the capability of importing images, graphics, sound and video from all popular formats so as to export presentations to flash, video, EXE, GIF animation or image sequence.

Since I am using the earlier version's product which has been discontinued and has no capability of exporting presentations to GIF animation files, my animated header has been saved as a swf file.

If you have the latest version, you may skip the next step (converting SWF files to GIF Animation files).

In this step, I've used Adobe Flash application software (usually used to produce flash animation, flash banners or flash files) only just for the conversion purpose by importing the SWF file to the stage and set the 'loop play back' on, so that my animated header will repeatedly animated and then exported it as a GIF animation file.

The next step is to upload the file. Previously, animated images won't stay animated if the image is a Blogger-hosted since the images are stored in Picasa Web Albums which doesn't support animated images. Thanks god, now picasa does allowed it.

Finally I've to edit or configured the header on my Blogger template layout (layout for blogger) by replacing the image of the my previous header with the newly created animated GIF file.

Walla! This is what it turned up to be.

If you have any question, just give me a comment. InsyaAllah, I'll try to help the best that I could. Good Luck.

If you like this post, please bookmark and share. Thank you

52nd Independence of Malaysia - Merdeka!

TODAY, August 31st is a significant moment in Malaysia's history. After over 400 years of foreign rule, Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia's first prime minister has created history when he declared "Merdeka" (Freedom) for the country in 1957. The day Malaysia finally broke free from colonial rule... the day when all the hard work to break this country free began to make some sense. Nothing can describe freedom. Independence means everything and for a nation, primarily the freedom to chart the course of its own destiny. Finally, Malaysian are able to celebrate that freedom, each year, on this date.

It is a triumphal celebration of our political and economic freedom, the freedom of being our own master, to work towards a chosen goal and to pause and savour the great distance we've covered since Independence when we want to.

Prior to Tunku uttering the famous words, "Merdeka", on this date, 1957, he laid the groundwork for Malaysia's independence from the British. With the nation's interest at heart, he went to London in 1954 and 1955 with a delegation to seek independence. And he succeeded. That's why he is known as "Bapa Kemerdekaan" (Father of Independence). The iconic photo of him with his right hand raised as he declared Merdeka is probably the most famous photograph in the country. Tunku was the prime minister of Malaysia from 1957 to 1970.
Independence Day means different things to different people. To some, it is nothing more than another holiday. What can the twentysomethings of Malaysia, born long after independence, possibly understand of the days of the Empire and the journey towards independence? We who have never known British rule, and for whom Communism is an outdated ideology rather than the subject of decades of guerilla warfare. We who have never sung God Save the King, or saluted the Union Jack, and for whom "Imperialism" and "Colonialism" are simply high scores in a round of Scrabble might find ourselves a bit befuddled when thinking about independence. Certainly, we can enjoy the long weekend; we can stick flags onto our cars and yes, we can be proud of our country.
For others, it is time to reflect on the past and look into the future. As Malaysians take a day off from work to celebrate Merdeka, let's sit down and recap the good times, take stock of the country's achievements, bask in the knowledge that in his own way, the Malaysian citizen has contributed to the nation's development and laid the foundation work for the achievement of future vision.
This is our 52nd year of Independence. We should be happy and proud that Malaysia is among a handful of independent countries which are successful. For this, we are thankful to God Almighty. When independence was sought, the colonised people were naturally hopeful that their destiny would be better determined when they become the nation's own administrators. But expectations do not always become realities. In fact, very often, hope turns into disappointment, due to internal power struggles, instability and the inability to administer and govern efficiently. Let's stay united in spirit and effort because the march towards success is far from over. We must march on to the year 2020.
When come to this date, one patriotic song which sticks to my mind and makes me proud to be a Malaysian is none other that is well remembered and hummed along than that of the highly celebrated Merdeka song by the late Sudirman Arshad, Tanggal 31. This patriotic song really rouse the spirit of Merdeka.


On the 31st
On the thirty-first in historyIn month August nineteen fifty sevenMerdeka, Merdeka, definitely MerdekaIt surely be the Malaysia's history
On the thirty-first in historyIn month August nineteen fifty sevenA noble day, a joyful day, a noble day, a joyful dayIt surely be the Malaysia's history
Come on let's all Malaysian be proud and joyfulTogether we all celebrate Merdeka, Merdeka!Thirty first month of August, nineteen fifty sevenA noble day, my country Merdeka
(2X)
Merdeka, Merdeka, Merdeka......!
Merdeka!!
Though 52 years have passed since these words first reverberated in the heart of every Malaysian, we still revel in the joy of counting down the minutes to the date when the country achieved its independence.
I am proud of Malaysia, a fascinating, peaceful and blessed country with rich cultural heritage. I salute our national flag on this day with pride, honour and dignity as it symbolises the unconditional love of the multi-racial caring and loving society.
As a proud Malaysia, what can I say except to once again to utter that good old phrase. MERDEKA!! MERDEKA!! MERDEKA!!

Graphic Health Warning (GHW) Cigarette Pack

It’s an old same issue. SMOKING tobacco, the much maligned habit, still has a stranglehold on millions of Malaysians undeterred by the growing weight of evidence testifying to its ill effects on the health. SMOKER in Malaysia smoke 33 million cigarettes and with a minimum estimation of 26 sen per stem, they spent about RM8.6 million to buy cigarette a day.

Cigarette smoking has been medically established as a major cause of lung cancer, and an important contributory cause of coronary heart disease. Many are unaware that smoking also can cause loss of eyesight. Studies have shown that public awareness of health and smoking hazards is high in cardiovascular diseases but not many are aware of its ill effects on the eye. Smoking enhances early formation of cataract in the eyes, a condition that usually affects elderly people.

Smokers not only waste good money on cigarettes or tobacco to buy, but also run the risk of fatal diseases as well.

On the other hand, thousands of office workers in Malaysia bear with the secondary smoke from their cigarette-smoking colleagues every day. Many just suffer their discomfort in silence rather than risk the wrath of the smokers. Many would like to believe that secondary cigarette smoke is not all that harmful.

On the economic cost of tobacco smoking, it was a mind blowing. It costs the nation more than RM3 billion a year to treat citizens afflicted by three major diseases - heart attack, lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Quitting smoking is no easy matter however strong-willed you are because it's a drug addiction. Many smokers have lost count of the number of times they have said they would quit and didn't. Or the number of times they tried to quit smoking only to start again within a short time. It is extremely difficult to quit smoking. Fewer than seven per cent of smokers who try to quit on their own achieve more than one year of abstinence. In fact, most smokers begin smoking again within a few days. It takes five to seven attempts before the average smoker is able to quit. Therefore, helping smokers to quit takes on special urgency so as to address the issue.

Search Amazon.com Books for Stop Smoking

Malaysia has made it to another milestone in tobacco control by introducing graphic health warnings (GHW) on cigarette packs for its efforts in curbing smoking. Starting 1 June 2009, all cigarette packs must display pictorial GHW on illnesses caused by tobacco. Those caught selling packs without the GHW would be fined RM10,000 or two years' jail, or both under the Control of Tobacco Products Regulations (Amended) 2008. It will be one of the more than 20 countries doing so. For that, it should be given a pat on the back. It’s hope that these shocking pictures are deterring youngsters from taking up the smoking habit.

After 11 years of government anti smoking campaigns, there has only been around two per cent drop in the number of smokers. This is included the ban on the use of misleading descriptors such as "low-tar", "mild", "light" and "ultra-light", the ban on cigarette advertisements and smoking in public places, the prohibition on tobacco sponsorship of sports events such as Formula One racing, the 2004 "Tak Nak" (Do Not Want) campaign and quit-smoking clinics, the banning sale of "kiddie pack" cigarettes and the increase in no-smoking zones.

For the record, Malaysia has the highest percentage of teenage smokers aged 13 to 15 compared with other Asean countries. Nearly 40 per cent of teenage boys and at least 11 per cent of teenage girls in this country are smokers even though the sale of cigarettes to youths under 18 has been made an offence punishable with a maximum fine of RM5,000 or two years' jail when the Health Ministry enforces the Control of Tobacco Regulations, in March, 1992.

For Muslims, 14 years ago, the National Fatwa Council issued an opinion that smoking was haram (forbidden). Although it was gazetted as law only in Selangor (1995) and Penang (2004), the opinion is binding upon all Muslims in the country. So, why are so many Muslims still smoking? This coming Ramadan (22/08/09 – 19/09/09, the fasting month) is the best time for Muslims to quit smoking. Abstinence from eating, drinking and smoking from sunrise to sunset could be use as a stepping stone to kick the habit away.

Smokers, don’t think that we hate you for this. Actually we love you all so that you could live a healthier life.

Nuclear Power as fifth source of energy in Malaysia

NUCLEAR technology is often seen in a negative light by most people. However, they don't realise that there are many positive applications for this form of technology. For instance, nuclear technology has been used to increase output in agriculture and industry, in the field of medical science, it can be applied to study, non-invasively, the patient's body through x-ray, while in engineering it can be applied to non destructive testing and lots more. Sixty Four years after the atom was split, there is still talk about the need to demystify nuclear science and technology in its many peaceful applications. That a lot of fear, suspicion and uncertainty which still prevails is recognised because the atom for destruction is imprinted in people's minds.

“Malaysia is now set to use nuclear power as an alternative energy source by 2025, as it is the cheapest source of power in the long run with several government agencies were working on forming a committee to implement the policy”, Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Fadillah Yusof said.

In Malaysia application of nuclear science and technology for national development was established since 1972 through an agency known as Centre for Application of Nuclear Malaysia (CRANE) which later changed to Tun Ismail Atomic Research Centre (PUSPATI).

When PETRONAS was established on 17 August 1974 after 19 oilfields was encountered at Malaysian waters in 1973 (where 90,000 barrels per day of petroleum were withdrawn), the need of nuclear as a source of energy was put aside.

PUSPATI was then renamed to Malaysian Institute for Nuclear Technology Research (MINT) in 1994 after It was placed under Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment in 1990. Following its restructuring, MINT was then given a new identity as Malaysian Nuclear Agency (Nuclear Malaysia) in September 2006 until now.

According to the Malaysia Energy Centre (MEC), Malaysia registered a gross electricity generation of 101,325 gigawatt hours (GWh - One gigawatt hour is equivalent to one billion watts). As the country's energy bill increases because of increasing demand for clean and sustainable energy and depleting energy resources such as nation's natural gas which is expected to be exhausted by 2019, there was a need to reconsider for peaceful, safe and effective use of nuclear energy.

Should Malaysia emulate Japan in taking steps to generate electricity since nuclear power is the most viable choice as solar power, the other alternative, was still too expensive to be mass-produced? For instance to generate 1,000MW of electricity per year through solar power 100km square of area is needed, while 30 tonnes of uranium is needed for Nuclear fission.

In most issue there are pros and cons.

The popular anti-nuclearism of the 1970s and 1980s had two inestimable benefits.

Firstly, it helped end the Cold War. Just as memories were fading of Hiroshima and Nagasaki (where on Aug 6, 1945, an American bomber, named Enola Gay, dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima killing more than 100,000 men, women and children. The mushroom cloud from the blast was seen by the crew of another American plane, Jabbitt III, some 320 kilometres away), the nuclear scares of Windscale in Britain, Three Mile Island in the United States and Chernobyl in the Ukraine refreshed the popular drive to accelerate nuclear disarmament and curtail proliferation.

Secondly, it galvanised the search for alternative energy through the increasingly sophisticated exploitation of wind, water, geothermal and solar power. On these two points alone, much credit is due to those who have been devoutly opposed to the nuclear option on the basis of what can happen when such technology fails.

The lessons of Three Mile Island and Chernobyl however have been learnt and technological advances since then have made nuclear plants safe. Nuclear scientist Jong Hyun Kim claimed that nuclear reactors were so safe that if you wanted to make an aircraft as safe as a nuclear reactor, it would never fly.

The role of nuclear power plants is to stabilize and secure the supply of electricity which would also help to keep electricity prices at a reasonable level and protect the environment from harmful pollutants as a result of the massive use of fossil fuels.

Whatever decision, in my opinion, the pros and cons need to be weigh wisely before embarking on any nuclear power programme in the country for the sake of the people.

Advanced Safety Vehicle (AVS)

What if vehicle could talk? And what if they could think and react too?

Vehicles that can talk and react, sound like science fiction doesn't it? Well, it exists and it's called Advance Safety Vehicles (AVS). Although these vehicles couldn't really talk like we human do, however they could communicate with each other.

Honda Odyssey with ASV-4 (Equipped with a state-of-the-art Multi-view Camera System), Honda Forza 250 ASV-4 (Equipped with Heads-Up Display, Communication Helmet and Haptic Seat) and IT Monpal 4 (with Longitudinal Oriented Normative temporal Gap (LONG) design.)

The ASV project began way back in April 1991 as a joint collaboration between Honda Motor Co. and Japan Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

These ASVs were designed by Honda engineers to exchange speed and positional information and other data between vehicles or between a vehicle and an electric cart (vehicle-to-vehicle communications), as well as between the vehicle and road infrastructure (vehicle-to-infrastructure communications), in order to provide the drivers with information which may help to prevent fatal traffic accidents.

Honda ASVs are equipped with HMI (Human Machine Interface) technology, which utilize communications infrastructure to effectively convey information to the driver on the presence of small motorcycles and electric carts and other vehicles obscured by buildings or sharp curve motorways that would be difficult to detect based only on the use of independent on-board sensors.

The Multi-view Cameras System which was designed to help a driver observe blind spots when parking and driving through a three-way intersection or narrow road are located in the front and rear of the vehicle as well as on it's side mirrors, provides the Honda Odyssey driver with a full 360 degree view via the vehicle's navigation screen.

How ASV Helps Save Lives?

Now in its fourth phase, a number of advanced safety systems found in today's Honda vehicles - such as the Intelligent Night Vision, Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMS) and Honda Intelligent Driver Support (HiDS) were the result of the ASV program.

These safety system which was introduced in the ASV program were improvised and later Incorporated in Honda vehicles with the goal of providing 'Safety for Everyone' .

Intelligent Night Vision

Using the "far infrared" wide-angle cameras positioned in the lower section of the vehicle's front bumper, the world's first Intelligent Night Vision system which able to detect pedestrians that approach or are in the vehicle's path based on human body heat. It also able to determine the pedestrian's shape and size, a visual and audio is sounded to alert the driver of the pedestrian's presence. This system was made available on the Honda Legend, released in Japan in 2004.

Honda Intelligent Driver Support

Honda developed the Honda Intelligent Driver Support (HiDS) to help relieve driver stress. It includes the Intelligent Highway Cruise Control (IHCC), which automatically maintains a safe distance from the vehicle ahead, and the Lane-Keeping Assist System (LKAS) that prevent lane departure. HiDS was made available in the 7th generation Honda Accord and Accord Wagon, launched in Japan, in 2002.

Collision Mitigation Brake System

Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMS) is able to predict rear-end collisions and assist brake operation so as to minimise the effect inflicted on occupants and the vehicle.

By determining the like hood of a collision occurring based on driving condition, distance to the vehicle ahead and relative speeds, the system uses audio and visual warnings to prompt the diver to take preventive action. It also automatically initiates brake to help reduce the vehicle's speed further. This system was integrated into the 2003 Honda Inspire, together with the E-Pretensioner system, which retracts the seat belt in anticipation of an impact.

Google Wave - Emails, tweets, and communication within social networking

Google with an open source initiative is getting ready for a new and easier-to-manage package (that promises to overtake e-mail and social networking) called "Google Wave".

Google Wave is a new model for communication and collaboration on the web, coming later this year.

Wave seems to be another paradigm shift in terms of online communication. Emails, tweets, and communication within social networking sites could all quickly be replaced by what Google is calling "waves". This is the type of innovation that will fold all communications into an easier-to-manage package.

I am eager and looking forwards to it's launching date.

Watch the demo video below, sign up for updates and learn more about how to develop with Google Wave.

Here's a preview of just some of the aspects of this new tool.

A wave is equal parts conversation and document.

People can communicate and work together with richly formatted text, photos, videos, maps, and more.

A wave is shared.

Any participant can reply anywhere in the message, edit the content and add participants at any point in the process. Then playback lets anyone rewind the wave to see who said what and when.

A wave is live.

With live transmission as you type, participants on a wave can have faster conversations, see edits and interact with extensions in real-time.

Some key technologies in Google Wave

Real-time collaboration

Concurrency control technology lets all people on a wave edit rich media at the same time.

Watch the tech video

Natural language tools

Server-based models provide contextual suggestions and spelling correction.

Watch the tech video

Extending Google Wave

Embed waves in other sites or add live social gadgets,

thanks to Google Wave APIs.

So, watch out for it's first appearance!!!