[sebhc] new postings to SEBHC archives

Lee Hart leeahart at earthlink.net
Wed Apr 21 14:47:03 CDT 2004


Patrick wrote:
> Lee, reading into your email, I am assuming that by "simplest"
> format, you mean plain text?

It depends on the original document. If it is just plain typewritten
text, then a plain text format is sufficient to reproduce it online. For
example, all the original Digital Research CP/M manuals are simple
typewritten documents.

If the original was prepared on a word processor with a proportional
font and a few basic tables and charts, then HTML is a good choice. It
reproduces well, and even lets the text be reformatted for easier
on-screen reading (which is probably all most people will do).

If there are simple black-and-white illustrations, like schematics or
assembly drawings, then GIF files work well. They are compact and can be
read by pretty much any system that can go on the web.

If there are photographs or very complex illustrations, then JPG is a
logical choice. They should be compressed to suit the information
content. In other words, don't produce a high-resolution gigantic file
of a fuzzy photograph.

If there is something about the document that requires that it be
precisely reproduced, then PDF formats make sense. They are vastly
larger and more complex, however.

Finally, it makes sense to use the oldest, simplest version of any
particular format. It is almost always the smallest, fastest, and most
easily read by the largest audience. New software always has support to
save files in older formats. Only use the newer formats if there is some
feature that is actually required.

Buying a new program and using its default formats is really doing
marketing for them. You will be sending files that only those who have
also bought the latest version can use.
-- 
"Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the
world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has!" -- Margaret Meade
--
Lee A. Hart  814 8th Ave N  Sartell MN 56377  leeahart_at_earthlink.net

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