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This page contains everything you need to know about downloading OEHHA documents. For your convenience, you can print this page by using the print command in your browser.

Basic Information

OEHHA's web page is located on a web server (read: large computer). We store files on that computer which you can download. "Downloading" is the act of copying a file from one computer on the information superhighway to another computer. The highway analogy holds for most downloading activities. Downloading goes fastest when there are less people on the road, smaller files travel faster, etc.

OEHHA documents are available in the following ways:

  • Adobe Acrobat PDF Files - These are Portable Document Format files created using Adobe Acrobat. This company distributes a FREE Acrobat Reader, which you can download. The files can be read by anyone on almost any computer platform (i.e. Macintosh, PC, UNIX, etc.).

    If you don't have Adobe Reader, you'll have to download it from Adobe's Acrobat Reader Distribution Page on their web site (www.adobe.com). The Reader takes up approximately 2 Megs of space on your hard drive. Once you have downloaded it, it will activate any time you double click on a file with the extension *.PDF.

    If you have problems downloading or installing the Adobe Acrobat Reader, please contact Adobe.

  • HTML files - files that can be read on an Internet browser screen.
  • Alternative formats
    We are happy to provide any of our information in a format that is most useable to you. If you need a document in large print, Braille or other format, please contact our Webmistress, Laurie Monserrat (lmonserr@oehha.ca.gov), or (916)327-7333 to request any OEHHA document in an alternate format.

Troubleshooting

I downloaded a PDF file and my screen is black. What's wrong with your files?
It sounds like you have an older version of Adobe Acrobat Reader. In order to be compatible with screen readers we have upgraded our Adobe program. You can upgrade your program for free at the Adobe web site.

My download speed (in bytes/min) slows to almost zero and the browser suddenly stops downloading. What's wrong?
It sounds like your ISP (Internet Service Provider) is timing out before you get the entire document. This happens when your download speed slows to almost zero and the browser stops downloading in order to avoid locking up. Some of the big ISP's have terrible download times. With Netscape, you can actually watch the speed decrease to almost zero before it times out. Such time-out's, unfortunately, don't come with any messages or warnings. Any partial file from such a download will either not open or contain errors.
A solution is to try downloading at a "non-peak" time of the day. Weekends are universally bad (especially evenings). You may want to try it early in the morning on weekdays. Basically, any time that other people won't be using your ISP is the best time to download files. The best/worst times differ from ISP to ISP, so I'd recommend E-mailing your ISP to find out what those times are.

I double-click on the PDF file and it won't open. It gives me a warning about "association" in File Manager. What's wrong?
This probable means you don't have Adobe Acrobat Reader or it is not configured properly. I suggest completely reloading it. If you have further difficulties, please contact Adobe. We are not qualified to answer questions regarding Adobe software.

I went to get "that Acrobat program", but it costs $300! I don't want to spend that much!
STOP! You're considering purchasing the full Adobe Acrobat package! You want the Adobe Acrobat READER, which is a FREE product available on Adobe's web site! Adobe Acrobat is an excellent application for web publishing, but you only need the Adobe Acrobat Reader to open OEHHA documents.

I've tried everything and it STILL won't work. Can I get a hard copy?
Yes! Most of our documents are available in hardcopy (though sometimes for a fee). Please check the specific document's distribution page for information on how to order a copy.

I'm still lost. How do I get more help!?!
You can contact the OEHHA Webmistress by E-mailing your questions to the following address:
Lmonserr@oehha.ca.gov

Please include all relevant information, including the following:
Type of computer (Mac or PC).
Internet Service Provider (AOL, University-based, LAN-based, etc.).
Time(s) of day you attempted downloads.
Detailed account of the problem, including all error messages.
Your name and location (Optional, but helpful).

[*] The reference to this software or software archive does not constitute an endorsement nor an assurance of quality by either The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment or The State of California.

 
 
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