Saving or converting HTML online form as a .pdf or .txt file

[Todd Denniston]

Nigel Henry wrote, On 05/06/2008 01:35 PM:
>
<SNIP>
> Now I'm not into directly editing the HTML, and adding the required info, but 
> may have a go, just for experience, but is there a way to save an HTML form 
> to disk, and then convert it to a .pdf, which I can deal with using pdfedit.
> 
> I tried saving the HTML file when opened in OO as a .txt file, but that's a no 
> go. The info is there, but the layout of the form is lost.
> 
> When I print the document from the website, it prints correctly, and perhaps 
> I'm losing the plot here, but is there a way to, instead of sending the 
> document to the printer, and getting a hard copy, I can somehow print the 
> doc, and save it on the harddrive? This way I could then add the requested 
> info to the doc, and then print it out on my printer.
> 
> This is all a bit academic, but would be nice to get some feedback.
> 
> Thanks for any replies. Dealing with bureaucracy and old age is a bit of a 
> nightmare.

assuming you are using Firefox (but I expect any of the GUI web browsers for 
Linux will work):
-> get the target web page loaded in the browser.
-> click the print button.
-> select the "Print to File" checkbox, and click print. (IIRC under Unix all 
applications print to postscript, and assume that the OS or Printer will 
translate if needed. under windows you have to select a postscript printer 
driver first.)
-> make note of the "Save in folder" data, I will assume below you know how to 
use this to find the file.
-> type in a name such as GetBirthForm.ps and click save.
-> get a terminal (xterm|gnome-terminal|kterminal)... and in the terminal:
`ps2pdf GetBirthForm.ps`
`evince GetBirthForm.pdf`

You now have a pdf that pdfedit can probably deal with.
-- 
Todd Denniston
Crane Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC Crane)
Harnessing the Power of Technology for the Warfighter