why PDF

[Kirk Wood <cpt.kirk@1tree.net>]

Rich recently speculated on why some things become standards. It boils
down to formating. The reason PDF has become popular is that it is the
only means which a publisher can eb sure their layout remains intact. A
PDF doc will look the same regardless of the computer and/or printer
used. There could be a breakdown in print resolution, but a 8.5 by 11 page
will have the line breaks the same regardless of the medium.

The argument is of course that the information is more important then the
formatting. But when someone spends a butt load of time and effort on
formatting to help convey information they aren't keen on throwing it
out. Further, it is much harder to make formatting that adjusts well to
all resolutions. If you don't understand this, leave it to "one of the
stupid sited things."

Then of course there is conversion factors. MIT can convert much of its
course work to PDF much cheaper then HTML. Figure much is probably already
in Word format. Add in a program and you can convert this to PDF in
minutes. To do a good job of HTML will take much longer if there is any
advanced formatting. Manpower is more expensive then licensing in many
cases. Especially when they can negotiate the later. Adobe will give a
huge break in fees to MIT if all courses are published in their
format. This way they can stick it to others at a better (for them) price
later. This is also why m$ charges a university less then half of retail
for their products.

=======
Kirk Wood
Cpt.Kirk@1tree.net

Nowlan's Theory:
        He who hesitates is not only lost, but several miles from
        the next freeway exit.