On 4-8-2006 18:40, Steve G wrote:
Andrew Thompson wrote:
Steve G wrote:
...
For non-technology-related reasons, we can't do it this way (the user
must not be allowed to print the output more than once, and of course...
..as soon as I have a single hard copy of it,
I can scan it and upload the scan to the internet..
Andrew T.
the business process is more complex than that, so this is not an
issue. We just need to prevent them from generating two original copies
of the same generated .PDF file.
I have doubts about the feasibility of this. For instance the customer
could have set up a printer queue which automatically prints several
copies, or to several printers. And what should the customer do when his
printer has a paper jam or runs out of ink: (must he/she go all the way
and request for a new copy of the document? sounds like loosing your
passport or drivers license).
However, having said that you may want investigate more on the following
items:
1) PDF allows you to secure your document; open a PDF file in Acrobat
Reader and see menu File > Document Properties > Security. Maybe it can
be setup to allow one copy only. Don't know how to define this in the
PDF code, though.
2) Javascript document.print() allows to print a frame, maybe a hidden
frame with the PDF document?
3) Use (signed) applet to print your document.
4) Create a custom application which allows to print a single copy of a
file on that platform (ala AcroRead, but then AcroPrint for instance).
Each customer has to install this application on his/her computer.
Deliver your document from your appserver to the customer's browser with
a custom extension and MIME type. The browser should trigger your
application and print the document.
[If you want your customer to have a single copy only, it's probably
better to print the document yourself and send it to him/her by snail
mail. Even then he/she could copy it on a high quality copier to make it
look like a first print.]
--
Regards,
Roland