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On Wed, Nov 12, 2008 at 09:53:12PM +0000, Aaron Trevena wrote: > > But if you specify postscript or pdf as the document standard it > doesn't matter what you prepare it in. > > You can use LaTex, I can use OpenOffice Formula or even Scribus and > then export to PDF - both LaTex and HTML can be converted to PDF > trivially (as can word, etc) and you can be sure that your document > looks the same to you as whoever is marking it. > > > Word processing is not always the best tool, and is not always used, > > LaTeX is very popular in the science community, and i think could be > > promoted more or at least be seen as an acceptable format. > > LaTeX is an acceptable format for working in, but if you're preparing > a final document then you want something print oriented and looks the > same to anybody reading / marking it. > I think the key is what is going to happen to the document: - If it is going to be printed, then pdf is great. But I would then argue that the damn thing should be printed. (Thankfully more and more people are now slowly moving away from printing out all documents and emails received: the quicker this happens the better...) - If the document is going to stay in electronic form then pdf is a PITA and frankly html, LaTex, text or even word is a lot easier to read. It is also a lot easier in a text format to extract / update / annotate. - If the document is going to be marked, then it should be digitally signed, digitally submitted, marked on a computer and filed accordingly. Saving paper, ensuring a clear audit trail and speeding up response times with easy follow up. Yes all this can be done with pdfs: if you buy the full software. It is easier and cheaper with text / html / Latex / Word files. Will it happen? Doubt it. -- Henry Photocopies or faxes of my signature are not binding. Electronic documents (including email) are binding if digitally signed and appropriately verified Digital Key Signature: GPG RSA 0xFB447AA1 Wed Nov 12 23:17:28 GMT 2008
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