I've enjoyed a few of the online training seminars that are put on every month. I think a lot of us would really like to see a few seminars on the basics of form calc (or javascript) targeted for the beginner. (underline the word "beginner"). Perhaps some practical examples included. OH!, and also help choosing the correct event scripting option from that long drop down box in LiveCycle.
I've been reading all the sources I've run across. Lets face it... Reading is fine for reference, but for learning, nothing beats a visual/audio interactive presentation. That's why schools have textbooks AND teachers. Even online universities provide individual feedback.
And frankly, I'm feeling sheepish about having to post questions on the forums, asking for someone to do my work for me.
So how about it??
Well, excuse me now... I have to go back to reading from my copy of "The Beginner's Quick-Start Guide for LiveCycle Scripting". I'm only up to chapter 2, page 3,516. ;-)
Scripting is a huge topic and also the most powerful tool available for adding functionality to PDFs. But, Acrobat is also a huge program with users from pretty much all industries with varying needs. I think AUC has done a comendable job in covering scripting topics given it is only one of many topics users are interested in here.
Reading is just one way to learn, but don't overlook all the tutorials on scriptnig available here at AUC in the Learning Center. Thom Parker is the author of many of them and he typically includes links to sample files that include all the scripts used, so you can examine them to see how it is done rather than just read about it. Many include both Acrobat and LiveCycle Designer PDF examples. If you haven't done so, go to the Learning Center and do a search using JavaScript to see the full list there. I would say these are in many ways more valuable than the official Adobe documentation you are slogging through.
Have you run across www.pdfscripting.com yet? It is not free (subscription required for full access) but is the most comprehensive set of video training available for scripting in Acrobat and PDF. There are over 11 hours of video training backed up with a library of scripted sample files and copy-n-paste scripts. We started adding LiveCycle scripting video training recently, but much more needs to be addressed there and we're working on it! Core JavaScript is covered to give beginners a grounding in basic scripting topics and that applies to both Acrobat and LiveCycle Designer JavaScript (Formcalc is another subject)
Disclosure- My company develops the www.pdfscripting.com web site.
Hope this helps,
Dimitri
WindJack Solutions
www.pdfscripting.com
www.windjack.com
Dimitri Munkirs
WindJack Solutions
pdfscripting.com