Allow a simple form with "data" to be saved by the user.

Question

Back in version -x, it used to be so simple.  You created a form that could be read in a web browser.  Users could could fill out the form and save the form to their computers with their data.  Since that first version that allowed that, Acrobat has not progressed in logical fashion.  In a later version, you couldn't save the data.  Then in another version, you could again save the data.  Now you have some nice interactive features. I appreciate the new developments and see where they could be a godsend.  However, the simple thing that I used to be able to do in version -x, and the thing I most want to do,  I can no longer do and it is frustrating.
Here's the situation:  we have an announcement on the web for Vacation Bible School.  We want to have a pdf with a form that people can fill out online and save to their disk (as their copy of the registration form) and then print out one copy of the form so that they can send it along with their check for the registration fee.  Why should that be so difficult?
If it weren't for the fact that people have to send in checks, one of the fancy new options would work.  But it is not applicable in this situation.
Here are my current options:
I can "distribute" an emailable form (which I don't want to do) and then explain to the user that they should not hit the "submit" button but save the file to their disk.  (First rule of public relations - Don't confuse the public!)  It works in the last version of REader 8+ and in Reader 9.
I can save the form without distributing it. But the user can't save it with the data!
Please, PLEASE, PLEASE.  Allow a simple form with "data" to be saved by the user.
Peace and blessings
Barbara

Answer 1

Thanks for a quick response.
In Acrobat *8 or 9 Professional you can enable a form to be activated with the save feature.
How do you do this.  When I saved the form without distributing it, and opened the form up in Acrobat Reader, the header said specifically that the data could not be saved in the form.  And when I went to save it, I got the message in a popup that said "Data in this form will not be saved. Reader can only save a blank copy of this form."  Then a second message (with a light bulb) said:  "Please print your completed form if you would like a copy for your records."
So, if in fact I can have the form (without "distributing" it) so that the user can save the form with the data, how do I do that?  Are there commands I use, options?  Please let me know.  I will be eternally grateful.
Also, if you edit form fields, you may remove the submit button.
The edit form fields does not offer any access to the submit button.
Best,
Barbara