readme.txt Access2PDF ver. 1.5.1 (build 20030925) Copyright (C) 2003 SNP Technologies, Inc. All Rights Reserved ======================================== CONTENTS: 1. Introduction 2. Installation 3. Support 4. Registering Access2PDF 5. Contact Access2PDF 6. Release Notes *** 1. Introduction *** Access2PDF is the software solution for developers looking for an easy way to include reports with their web based applications. For many reporting requirements, Microsoft Access offers the easiest available way to compose reports. Microsoft Access provides comprehensive report writing tools. They give you the power to crunch numbers, control layout and formatting for banded reports. What if you want to deliver your beautiful Microsoft Access reports to users of your web application? That is where Access2PDF comes in. Access2PDF serves your Microsoft Access reports in PDF format. Access2PDF is a Microsoft Windows component. Any web application development language that provides support for creating and using Component Object Model (COM) objects can utilize it. In fact, if your language does not natively support COM, you can use Access2PDF by invoking the COM object through an ancillary ASP page. Access2PDF is extremely lightweight, fast, efficient, and economical. It provides an elegant solution for publishing great reports from your web applications. *** 2. Installation *** System Requirements: - Windows 2000 or XP operating system - Microsoft Access 2000 or XP (2002) - Web server such as IIS For correct installation, follow these steps: a. Log on to computer as an Administrator. b. Verify that Microsoft Access is installed and has run at least once under the Administrator account. It is advisable to test on the web server the Access reports you intend to process with Access2PDF, before installing Access2PDF. b. Extract the Access2PDF.zip archive to a temporary location on your hard drive. c. Run the "setup.exe" located in the root folder of the installation package. Then, follow the instructions displayed on your screen. You may be asked to reboot your computer at the end of the installation routine. d. From the Access2PDF program group, click Test Access2PDF and follow the screen instructions. e. It is advisable to run a test remotely. i.e., from another computer other than the web server. What gets installed? Major program components include: - Access2PDF.DLL - The Access2PDF COM Object - RegisterAccess2Pdf.exe - A utility to unlock the evaluation version of Access2PDF. - Win2PDF - The Win2PDF printer driver from Dane Prairie, customized for Access2PDF. - RemoveCOM.exe - An uninstall routine* - InstallCOM.exe - An install routine *To remove Access2PDF, initiate the uninstall from the "Add and Remove Programs" module of your Control Panel. *** 3. Support *** Visit our on-line support at http://www.access2pdf.com/support.htm. Send support inquiries via email to support@access2pdf.com. In order to keep the product cost down, we discourage phone support. However, we recognize that stepping through an issue on the phone is often the best way to solve a problem. After all, we buy software too and often need to contact the vendor with questions. So, if the need arises for phone support, use the information below to contact us. *** 4. Registering Access2PDF *** Unless 'unlocked' with a registration key, Access2PDF will only operate for a 30-day trial period from the date of installation. To unlock the software for unlimited use on a single computer, please visit http://www.access2pdf.com/purchase.htm to purchase your registration key. Once you have a acquired a registration key, click on the "Unlock Access2PDF" shortcut in the Access2PDF Start Menu program group. Or, double click on the program RegisterAccess2Pdf.exe in the Access2PDF\bin program folder on your hard drive. *** 5. Contact Access2PDF *** Access2PDF is the product of SNP Technologies, Inc. We're fond of feedback. If you'd like to comment on the program, submit a suggestion or to report a bug you've found, we can be reached as follows: Access2PDF Software c/o SNP Technologies, Inc. 1890 Dixwell Avenue, Suite 205 Hamden, CT 06514 phone. 203.287.9114 fax. 203.248.3883 Sales inquiries: sales@access2pdf.com Support inquiries: support@access2pdf.com *** 6. Release Notes *** Version 1.5.1: This is a recommended update by the creators of Access2PDF. NOTE: The upgrade will not effect program operation except for the PDF filename parameter option as noted in #1 below. Please completely remove Access2PDF 1.5.0 before installing version 1.5.1. New Features and Updates in Version 1.5.1: 1. Optional Filename Parameter We have updated the Access2PDF method for PDF file name generation so that a random 8 digit number is not by default appended to your user defined 'filename' prefix. In order to make use of a random 8 digit number as a filename without a prefix, submit a value of 'FALSE' for the MyPDFNamePrefix. 2. Custom Error Control to aid in development We have provided custom error codes for developers to use for debugging and to manipulate web output to end users. Error codes are as follows: Error Number : 1000 Error Description : Missing Core Objects Error Number : 1001 Error Description : Invalid or Missing PDF Path Error Number : 1002 Error Description : Invalid or Missing PDF Prefix Name Value Error Number : 1003 Error Description : Invalid Or Missing Database Name Error Number : 1004 Error Description : Invalid or Missing Report Name Error Number : 1005 Error Description : Invalid or Missing Where Condition Error Number : 1006 Error Description : Invalid Path or PDF Path Does Not Exist Error Number : 1007 Error Description : Invalid Database File or File Does Not Exist Error Number : 1008 Error Description : Invalid or Missing PDF Path Error Number : 1009 Error Description : Invalid Or Missing PDF Name Error Number : 1010 Error Description : Invalid File or PDF File Does Not Exist Error Number : 1020 Error Description : Invalid Database File Error Number : 1030 Error Description : Cannot Open Database File Error Number : 1040 Error Description : Invalid Report Name Or Report Does Not Exist Error Number : 1100 Error Description : Error Printing Report 3. The report name parameter MyReportName is no longer case sensitive. 4. Update made to the uninstall routine to reduce the potential for manual intervention required to remove Access2PDF. 5. Update made to memory management to prevent potential for MSACCESS.EXE to remain in memory following program execution. 6. Update made to prevent MDB or ADP file lock. This allows for file editing of the MDB or ADP in tandem with Access2PDF operation. Note: while editing a MDB or ADP file, Access2PDF will not print a report in said MDB or ADP but will respond with a custom error number to allow for application control. END