PDF is dead.... Long live PDF - Page 3

VydorScope · 04-04-2012, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justin Nemo

We realise Harry that you don't think they need a new format even taking into account Mr. Ploppy's comments which was largely ignored. But. If by some magical wave of a wand a new format was in the offing, what features would you like it to have? A spell checker maybe, or a coffee machine?

A coffee machine for sure.

JSWolf · 04-04-2012, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justin Nemo

You mean like the old VHS x Betamax debacle. Only problem with that one was the best system lost.

But, we had the blu-ray vs HD-DVD war and the better format won that war.

Elfwreck · 04-04-2012, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

But, we had the blu-ray vs HD-DVD war and the better format won that war.

It did? Last I checked, both versions were still widely sold. Did one of them vanish in the last few days?

JSWolf · 04-04-2012, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elfwreck

It did? Last I checked, both versions were still widely sold. Did one of them vanish in the last few days?

You can't buy movies any longer on HD-DVD.

gmw · 04-04-2012, 09:29 PM

From the wording of your original post I would wonder whether what we are really talking about is a new PDF version in which appropriate details are embedded to allow ereaders (with Adobe supplied software

) to read PDFs as if they were in an ereader relevant format. That is: one file format PDF, but able to be read as a traditional page layout on large screens (as PDF was originally intended), but also as a flexible format for small screens (as ereaders need). I could certainly see that as appealing, and feasible.

VydorScope · 04-04-2012, 10:09 PM

I think Adobe in in the process of trying to reinvent themselves. So it would not surprise me to see them do anything at this stage no matter how crazy.

Justin Nemo · 04-05-2012, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VydorScope

I think Adobe in in the process of trying to reinvent themselves. So it would not surprise me to see them do anything at this stage no matter how crazy.

But what would be crazy about trying to tap into a flourishing market?

VydorScope · 04-05-2012, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justin Nemo

But what would be crazy about trying to tap into a flourishing market?

Doing it in the typical bloated Adobe way. I could see them making a format up of their own, that is completely nonstandard and see it taking soemthing100gb for 50 page text only book. Oh and needing a quad core cpu to read it.

Rob Lister · 04-05-2012, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VydorScope

Doing it in the typical bloated Adobe way. I could see them making a format up of their own, that is completely nonstandard and see it taking soemthing100gb for 50 page text only book. Oh and needing a quad core cpu to read it.

Your snarky remarks notwithstanding, you're right. I used to think such poor, buggy and vulnerable software was the result of poor program (business, not code) management on the part of the software developers (too many chefs/stew/etc). I believe now that most of it is a result of leveraging future dependency on the part of the licensees; coding in stovepipes that look like enterprise solutions. I honestly believe (but can't prove) that for every aggravating adobism, there is a corresponding memo from Adobe upper management to the developers to make it work that way, regardless of how stupid they think it is. Shut up and code, monkey.

Penforhire · 04-05-2012, 02:07 PM

My dad bet on Betamax. The thing is, it wasn't "the best" in every way. VHS tapes ran longer, allowing more movies to be recorded on a single tape. They also allowed smaller read heads (meaning VHS camcorders that played back way before a Beta got there, no separate playback deck required). Oh, and don't forget it was a Sony format, the kiss of death since... Betamax lol.

ApK · 04-05-2012, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Penforhire

My dad bet on Betamax. The thing is, it wasn't "the best" in every way. VHS tapes ran longer, allowing more movies to be recorded on a single tape. They also allowed smaller read heads (meaning VHS camcorders that played back way before a Beta got there, no separate playback deck required). Oh, and don't forget it was a Sony format, the kiss of death since... Betamax lol.

Correct, the two hours per tape at best quality was probably one of the main factors.
This was not case of a obviously inferior technology succeeding because of marketing muscle. Beta had nominally better color and image quality, but VHS looked just fine for watching a movies on the couch, and more than good enough for recording an over the air TV show.
If a movie buff wanted better image quality, Laser disc came along only a few years after the introduction of Betamax.

Belfaborac · 04-05-2012, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justin Nemo

If I could just refresh the original post which was: If/when this new format comes into being what features would you like it to have?

I'd like it to not see the light of day. There are enough perfectly serviceable formats in existence as it is.

Justin Nemo · 04-06-2012, 02:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Penforhire

My dad bet on Betamax. The thing is, it wasn't "the best" in every way. VHS tapes ran longer, allowing more movies to be recorded on a single tape. They also allowed smaller read heads (meaning VHS camcorders that played back way before a Beta got there, no separate playback deck required). Oh, and don't forget it was a Sony format, the kiss of death since... Betamax lol.

Actually the picture quality was far superior as the tape was smaller and I think they ran about five minutes longer than a VHS. Having said that, I agree with you. I would rather put rusty nails in my eyeballs, than buy anything produced by Sony.

Justin Nemo · 04-06-2012, 02:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Belfaborac

I'd like it to not see the light of day. There are enough perfectly serviceable formats in existence as it is.

Amen to that brother.

Steven Lyle Jordan · 04-06-2012, 11:13 AM

PDF isn't going anywhere anytime soon. It is still the single most widely-used document format, bar none, universally. It is the preferred format for business and professional use, and the tools for making and reading it are global and well-established. Any efforts Adobe makes to penetrate the entertainment-focused reading world should not be confused with its continued support for the most ubiquitous format on the planet.

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04-04-2012, 09:29 PM	#35
gmw cacoethes scribendi Posts: 5,818 Karma: 137770742 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Aura One & H2Ov2, Sony PRS-650	From the wording of your original post I would wonder whether what we are really talking about is a new PDF version in which appropriate details are embedded to allow ereaders (with Adobe supplied software ) to read PDFs as if they were in an ereader relevant format. That is: one file format PDF, but able to be read as a traditional page layout on large screens (as PDF was originally intended), but also as a flexible format for small screens (as ereaders need). I could certainly see that as appealing, and feasible.

04-04-2012, 10:09 PM	#36
VydorScope Wizard Posts: 3,418 Karma: 35207650 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: iPad	I think Adobe in in the process of trying to reinvent themselves. So it would not surprise me to see them do anything at this stage no matter how crazy.

04-05-2012, 02:07 PM	#40
Penforhire Wizard Posts: 2,230 Karma: 7145404 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern California Device: Kindle Voyage & iPhone 7+	My dad bet on Betamax. The thing is, it wasn't "the best" in every way. VHS tapes ran longer, allowing more movies to be recorded on a single tape. They also allowed smaller read heads (meaning VHS camcorders that played back way before a Beta got there, no separate playback deck required). Oh, and don't forget it was a Sony format, the kiss of death since... Betamax lol.

04-06-2012, 11:13 AM	#45
Steven Lyle Jordan Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,478 Karma: 5171130 Join Date: Jan 2006 Device: none	PDF isn't going anywhere anytime soon. It is still the single most widely-used document format, bar none, universally. It is the preferred format for business and professional use, and the tools for making and reading it are global and well-established. Any efforts Adobe makes to penetrate the entertainment-focused reading world should not be confused with its continued support for the most ubiquitous format on the planet.