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alex_d · 06-08-2007, 01:48 AM

OMG! PAGE SIZE DOESN'T MATTER AT ALL!

Why do people keep worrying so much about it, writing conversion guides specifying it to 4 digits of precision?

All that matters is the page shape (w:h = 0.75, and 8.5":11" is good enough) and font size.

If you double the page size and double the font size, the document will look exactly the same. You people are crazy.

P.S. kovigdoyal... command-line is like talking to the computer? Pass me your joint. Even if i play along, (and the analogy is rather apt), using the command-line is more like trying to speak a backward language you barely know and that no one is teaching you. Some phrases you've memorized in entirety, a number of sentences you can piece together, but for the majority of syntax you have to stop and take out a stupid dictionary. But that only works if you already know what you want to say.

No matter how good you claim you are at unix or dos, you're still extremely fundamentally limited (although you probably don't realize it, because you do know how to do what you know how to do). With a GUI, though, I can open up any program I have never used in my life and get things done. More importantly, I actually do this every week because it's easy and convenient. In programs i've used for a long time it's easier to venture out and explore functionality i've previously overlooked. With the command-line, the more you use a program the less chance you're going to learn how to use it any differently (to say nothing of switching to a different program that does the same thing better). That's why command-line tools are still the same as they were 20 years ago, while GUI tools continue to evolve at lightning speed.

I do like the keyboard, however. But, it's easier to use the keyboard with a GUI than with a command-line. Take the simple task of navigating to a file using Windows Explorer vs BASH. I can use the keyboard to type folder and file names in both, but in windows explorer they highlight automatically (in bash I have to keep pressing TAB like a monkey), and I can right away see all the filenames starting from those characters (in bash, double TAB). I can also see all the filenames which DON"T start from those characters (in bash, forget it. you have to start a new command and fire 'ls'). Not to mention I automatically see file size, modification date, and other attributes (in bash, more 'ls' commands). If I want to move two files with distinct names, I can do it using CTRL and SPACE (in bash, you have to retype each filename from scratch). And should I need it, I can always just pull out the mouse. Oh, and what if I'd like to see thumbnails? ALT+V+H. What if I forget this combination? There's underlined letters and it's 100x superior to having to do 'man.' BASH, Linux, Unix, POSix is pathetic in comparison. But it's too bad most users don't know the power of the keyboard in Windows.

06-08-2007, 01:48 AM	#23
alex_d Addict Posts: 303 Karma: 187 Join Date: Dec 2006 Device: Sony Reader	OMG! PAGE SIZE DOESN'T MATTER AT ALL! Why do people keep worrying so much about it, writing conversion guides specifying it to 4 digits of precision? All that matters is the page shape (w:h = 0.75, and 8.5":11" is good enough) and font size. If you double the page size and double the font size, the document will look exactly the same. You people are crazy. P.S. kovigdoyal... command-line is like talking to the computer? Pass me your joint. Even if i play along, (and the analogy is rather apt), using the command-line is more like trying to speak a backward language you barely know and that no one is teaching you. Some phrases you've memorized in entirety, a number of sentences you can piece together, but for the majority of syntax you have to stop and take out a stupid dictionary. But that only works if you already know what you want to say. No matter how good you claim you are at unix or dos, you're still extremely fundamentally limited (although you probably don't realize it, because you do know how to do what you know how to do). With a GUI, though, I can open up any program I have never used in my life and get things done. More importantly, I actually do this every week because it's easy and convenient. In programs i've used for a long time it's easier to venture out and explore functionality i've previously overlooked. With the command-line, the more you use a program the less chance you're going to learn how to use it any differently (to say nothing of switching to a different program that does the same thing better). That's why command-line tools are still the same as they were 20 years ago, while GUI tools continue to evolve at lightning speed. I do like the keyboard, however. But, it's easier to use the keyboard with a GUI than with a command-line. Take the simple task of navigating to a file using Windows Explorer vs BASH. I can use the keyboard to type folder and file names in both, but in windows explorer they highlight automatically (in bash I have to keep pressing TAB like a monkey), and I can right away see all the filenames starting from those characters (in bash, double TAB). I can also see all the filenames which DON"T start from those characters (in bash, forget it. you have to start a new command and fire 'ls'). Not to mention I automatically see file size, modification date, and other attributes (in bash, more 'ls' commands). If I want to move two files with distinct names, I can do it using CTRL and SPACE (in bash, you have to retype each filename from scratch). And should I need it, I can always just pull out the mouse. Oh, and what if I'd like to see thumbnails? ALT+V+H. What if I forget this combination? There's underlined letters and it's 100x superior to having to do 'man.' BASH, Linux, Unix, POSix is pathetic in comparison. But it's too bad most users don't know the power of the keyboard in Windows. Last edited by alex_d; 06-08-2007 at 02:45 AM.