Using the hotline and Other ARSA PDF Files

Having difficulty with the hotline or other PDF file?

ARSA can't provide individual support for your computer. But these instructions can help.

1. Use the current link: When a new hotline is published, we send members a message that explains how to download the issue. A link from an old message won't work. Use the most recent E-mail you received from us.

2. Adjust your spam filter: Be sure your company's E-mail filter does not reject messages about the hotline. Some members don't receive our newsletter announcements because they contain the word 'hot'!

3. Use the current reader: We strongly recommend that you use a recent version of the free Adobe Reader.

The current version is 7.0.5. If yours is earlier than version 7, you may have difficulty with your latest hotline or other PDF file. For example, the file may not display or print correctly, or you may receive a "file damaged and cannot be repaired" error.

If you don't know the version of your Adobe Reader, or if you don't know how to update your software, show this page to your computer personnel.

Here is a link to the latest Adobe Reader. Basic Version will be fine for most users.

There is no charge for Adobe Reader. It has no tryout period. If you are informed of a tryout period, then what you have downloaded is not Adobe Reader.

4. Get your file: Download and save the hotline file to your computer first, then open the Adobe Reader or other PDF viewing software (if it is not already open), and then use File...Open to open the hotline.

This procedure has cured many problems. Before you conclude that the hotline doesn't "work" -- try the procedure.

You haven't downloaded and saved the PDF unless you have the file stored on your computer's hard drive and not merely displayed in your Web browser.

5. Use a better browser: Internet Explorer has been superseded by the free Firefox browser.

Even with Firefox, however, we still recommend downloading and saving your hotline first, then viewing it in your reader software.

Other tips

Apple users: The Mac OS X built-in Preview reads PDF files, or you can get Adobe Reader for OS X from the Adobe link above. There's a version for Linux too.

Printing the hotline: Older printers, and printers lacking adequate memory may have problems printing PDF files.

If you are using the current version of Adobe Reader and still experience difficulty, try (1) quitting the Adobe Reader and turning your printer off, then back on, then relaunch the Reader and try to print the newsletter again; (2) try printing to a different printer; or (3) try just printing a few pages at a time.

Time and day of download: After ARSA announces a new hotline or other important file, thousands of users attempt to get it. These peak traffic levels may slow the delivery of the file to your location. If necessary, try downloading your file more than 24 hours after the announcement.

Connection message: When interacting with the ARSA site, if you receive a message from your Web browser that a "connection could not be made", simply try again.