[Stargate] Why PDF is a problem for us

[Eadric Anstapa]

I'd like to offer some suggestions, some observations, and play devils 
advocate.

Melody Soice wrote:
> I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one who never opens the PDFs.
>
> Michael, I know that you're probably using a great, over-powered 
> computer with super graphics capabilities and a wonderful internet 
> connection.  We don't all have that at home.  Opening PDF files at our 
> home is, likely as not, going to lock up any applications I have open 
> if not the entire computer.  That has happened often enough that I 
> just don't open PDFs unless I have to.
If this is a problem I would suggest that you try a differ viewer for 
your PDF files.  For low power and low memory systems I am currently 
recommending the *Foxit Reader*. 

    * It is a great little PDF reader and unless you are needing the
      super advanced functions of PDF then it is all most people will
      ever need. 
    * The entire reader is a one executable file  and compressed or in
      an installer package is only 1.2MB and can fit on a floppy if you
      need to take it somewhere for install (as opposed to a 20+ MB
      download for the current Adobe Reader.
    * It's memory footprint is far smaller.   Opening he May Two Towers
      is uses less than a quarter of the memory (and far less CPU) than
      the Adobe reader would.

I encourage you to give it a try and see if it fixes your PDF problems.  

_*http://www.foxitsoftware.com/pdf/rd_intro.php*_

After all most all SCA forms, handbook, law, etc. are distributed as PDF 
files these days.  It's important to be able to open and print those as 
needed.
>
> I also find it more difficult to read publications online and much 
> less enjoyable.
Sometimes I do as well.  Sometimes I like having a hard copy to mark 
up.  Sometimes I like having a hard copy to take with me to an event.  
Sometimes I just like a hard copy.   The great thing about PDF as a form 
of electronic distribution is that it preserved the page layout almost 
perfectly and if I want a hard copy of something and don't feel like 
reading online then it takes just a minute for me to print my own copy.

>   I have only read one copy of The Two Towers since Stargate ended its 
> publication.  
Stargate is still publishing The Two Towers.  Their distribution method 
as simply changed and now they are using electronic distribution rather 
than a paper distribution

> I am glad that the information is still available to anyone wanting to 
> get to it badly enough, however, it is no longer something I look 
> forward to receiving.  I'm not trying to just gripe here but if you 
> really want to understand why I consider the discontinuation of the 
> physical Two Towers to be a great loss and a sad mark of the decline 
> of our barony I hope this helps clarify the issue for at least one 
> family.
>
I feel just the opposite. 

I never subscribed to The Two Towers.  Since I have lived in this area I 
have been in Gates Edge and I have always subscribed to the Over the 
Edge but never The Two Towers.  Like most people if subscribed to 
anything I only subscribed to the immediate local branch.  Sometimes I 
would hear of something that was printed in The Two Towers and would 
wish for the chance to read it and now I have that chance.  Since 
Stargate started distributing electronically I go to the website each 
month to read the latest issue.   I think it is very likely that the 
newsletter now actually reaches more people than it did as paper and ink.

> Hopefully I'm the only one that feels this way.  Don't jump down my 
> throat folks and start telling me how I need to upgrade our computer, 
> I'm just letting you know where things stand for us.
>
> Melody

If your computer does all that you want and need it to then ya don't 
need to upgrade.  However since it wont currently allow you to 
comfortably read a PDF and since the bulk of all the SCA's important 
documents are published in that format then I encourage you to try the 
Foxit reader and see if that free and simple alternative  works any 
better for you.

Regards,

-Eadric
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