6 Jun
1999
6 Jun
'99
7:35 p.m.
On Sun, 6 Jun 1999, Richard Erlacher wrote:
On the point that the archive should be made accessible to as many people
as possible, and that means using formats and data that just about anyone
can read.
Well, I
definitely agree with Tony on this.
On which point, Sam? Well, I don't, and for the reason that lowest
common denominator means the
lowest efficiency for the most people. I want to make it easy and
accessible to as many people as possible. Based on statistics, that means
that the only OS that really matters is . . . now say it along with me . .
Bullshit. There are more tools for viewing ASCII data than any other
format under every OS. This includes tools that allow you to search and
edit them. Just because most of the planet is stuck with a Microsoft OS
doesn't mean that all those people can also use a PDF viewer. I'm on a
Pentium 133 system and viewing PDF files is a pain in the ass.
It is also the most efficient format in terms of taking up the least
amount of storage space. I can download a textfile in a few seconds. I
can even view it with my web browser, and search it. I can cut parts out
and paste them elsewhere.
Making a
"public" archive in the sense that everyone should be able to view it
means catering to the lowest common denominator.
I don't anticipate getting complete agreement from
everyone. What has to be
considered is (1) What do the owners of the data have to say? (2) What are
the people willing to do the work willing to do? (3) Where are these
documents to be stored and presented to the public and how much space will
they allow for this purpose? (4) What will satisfy the needs and preferences
of MOST of the people having access to the documents? The weight assigned
to the answers will probably be in about this order as well.
What good is putting in all the effort when not many people will be able
to benefit from that effort? Contrary to what you think, the PDF format
is not that widespread. Sure there are viewers, and the format is
documented, but how many people have that plug-in or the stand-alone on
their computer? Now ask yourself, how many people have a text editor on
their computer?
As far as I'm concerned, what's most important
is that the documents be
stored as complete, separate, and single files. They should not be broken
up into pages or chapters or text in one part and graphics in another in the
stupid, Stupid, STUPID way much of the LINUX documentation is published.
Not everyone with a Linux box has a SVGA monitor with gigabytes of hard
drive space and oodles of RAM. The developers of the Linux documentation
were smart enough to realize that. It allows you to get only what you
need, and not end up with a bunch of dead data taking up precious space on
your hard drive.
Further, while GIF format is probably OK for your
vacation pictures or the
latest centerfold, I don't find it particularly advantageous for presenting
line-art drawings because common viewers don't have a standard presentation
format for them. They come in a size matched to some raster image and if
your display matches it, great, else too bad. Again I prefer the PDF, not
only because it is what most people can get and use for free, but because it
is a single format useable in common for both text and graphics.
I can't view a PDF file with my (Apple ][, Commodore 64, Atari x00, TI
99/4a, TRS-80 Model x, Heathkit Hx, OSI Challenger x, IMSAI 8080, Altair
8800, etc).
Sellam Alternate e-mail: dastar(a)siconic.com
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