Check out required with Protected Word Docs

I'm not sure if this is a Word question or a SharePoint question, but since
it all starts with requiring Check out, I'll post it here.

We have check out required on all our document libraries.  In some of these
libraries are form type documents with fill-in fields created in Word 2003.
The documents are protected so that only the fill-in fields can be edited.
Since check out is required, users are having to check out the documents to
fill out the form.  This is making them very unhappy.  The forms are widely
used and only one person can check out a document at a time.  They're also
complaining about having to check out a document that they are not "editing".

Is there a way we can continue to do these forms in Word and still have the
check out feature on?  Would Infopath be another option?  Any ideas?

BTW, we are running MOSS 2007 and Office 2007.

I don't understand this part of the question >Is there a way we can continue

I don't understand this part of the question

have >the check out feature on?

Isn't that what you have at the moment (and that which your users are
complaining about) ?

As is the only solution to

have >the check out feature on?

would be to get rid of your complaining users and get some more
compliant ones.

Mike Walsh
WSS FAQ www.wssfaq.com / wss.collutions.com
no private e-mail questions please