[LINK] Government gives thumbs down to PDF format

Ivan Trundle ivan at itrundle.com
Mon Dec 6 10:05:19 AEDT 2010


On 06/12/2010, at 9:24 AM, Pilcher, Fred wrote:

> Kerry wrote:
>> Tom wrote:
>>> 
>>> Yes, it might be useful for agencies to look at using the ePub e-book
>>> format, in preference to (or addition to) PDF. That provides a way to
>>> download a whole report in one file. ePub is based on HTML and so it
>>> should take little extra work to produce.
>>> 
>> 
>> Then again, agencies might be thinking of their users, who'd find it
>> generally easier to read a PDF than an ePub.
> 
> Why not stick with HTML?

Or both, or all?

Kerry is absolutely right in suggesting that it's the end-user that matters, not the dogma. Tom alluded to 'in addition to', which is fine in theory, but not simple in practice. In an ideal world, every possible format would be generated, to service every possible end use. All that's needed is ample resources...

There are inherent deficiencies and constraints in all publishing systems. They often fail to realise the end-user's desires, let alone translate the author's intentions. 

Creator-to-consumer translation in a digital realm is never that simple.

Warmly

iT



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