Quote:
Originally Posted by Sonist
A PDF gives an accurate representation of a page on screen, preserving both fonts and design. It is as close as one gets to the printed page, and I believe, the best way to replace a printed page.
I personally would rather see screen size standardization, showing pages as meant to be shown by the publisher, then reflowing. There is standardization for paper sizes, why not for screen sizes?
But for those who desire, the new PDF SDK allows reflowing.
In addition, PDF is already an established standard on the desktop. And, at least on a desktop, a PDF can be annotated, searched, stickies can be placed on it, and so on. Not sure if the current mobile version allows this, but if it doesn't, I'd imagine it will soon.
So, again, isn't it better to establish a standard (and PDF currently seems to be the best one I've seen), instead of fragmenting an already confused market with new formats, like EPUB?
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Well, the problem with pdf is that it contains most of the limitations of print. Yes, you have total control of the layout. That's not a feature; that's a bug. Even proposing the layout/design person does zir work all over again for different screen sizes doesn't solve the underlying problem.
For example, let's suppose Robin Logos is laying out _Pride and Prejudice_ in PDF for e-book readers. Zie lays it out four times, for 5 inch, 6 inch, 9.7 inch and 10 inch screens (as someone suggested in another post). Oh, then someone points out that it would be nice to be able to read this e-book on PDAs and mobile phones. Robin sighs, and lays out versions for 3 inch and 2.5 inch screens. Someone else points out that the 10 point type Robin has used, while perfectly fine for people with young, strong eyes like Robin's doesn't work so well for people with vision problems. Robin grumbles and lays out 12 extra versions, for all the above screen sizes with 12 and 14 point font. Someone *else* points out that some people need better separation between lines of text to be able to read rapidly, while some people will want less, to get as much text per page as possible. Robin screams in anguish, then, after 15 minutes stamping around swearing lays out 36 *more* versions for all the above combinations of screen and font sizes, with 3 and 6 point spacing between lines. Someone brings up the question of margin sizes. Robin Logos winds up in the dock for attempted murder, but the jury lets zir off on the grounds that no normal person would have done differently under the circumstances.
And in the meantime, anyone wanting to read Robin's PDF of _Pride and Prejudice_ can choose between 54 versions! Talk about e-babel. And we haven't even gotten into fonts yet, or how to handle the pictures.