PDF sucks
This posting is prompted by the following comment by Loudthinking in a posting on ebooks: my favorite format (PDF). PDF is not my favorite format with one exception: Creating documents for printing. PDF is fabulous for specifying exactly how a document should be printed, try WYSIWYG.
However, PDF documents are horrible for reading. They don't flow with the size of the screen or the size of the reader/browser window. It's not possible to increase font size, except by crude zooming. Reading books on Safari, which presents books in HTML format, is much nicer (although they could put more sections on one page).
Jakob Nielsen writes about ways of easying the shock with gateway pages, but the fact is that providing only PDFs is horrible. For almost any application—tables of numbers, product sheets, books, pamphlets—there are better ways of presenting the information in HTML that is much more pleasing on screen. Having PDF versions is a great service but should be in addition, and not alternative, to HTML. (Jakob Nielsen has great lab quotes on why users hate PDF.
Comments
Don't you think that it's wrong to accuse the PDF-format when the problem is the application reading the PDF-file? HTML is maybe a good format for the purpose you're talking about. But is it also good on a P800? No.
Try using the new version of Preview:
http://www.apple.com/macosx/features/preview/
Posted by: Racc | October 28, 2003 09:38 PM
No, I think it's perfectly fine to accuse the PDF format.
I have tried Panther Preview. It's much better than Jaguar Preview, but still horrible for on-screen reading.
HTML is much better than PDF on a P800. Can you imagine reading a fixed-width PDF on a P800, rather than HTML which can be rewrapped?
Posted by: Guan Yang | October 28, 2003 10:20 PM
PDF does not suck in fact quite the opposite is true.
Posted by: Porto D File | February 25, 2004 11:50 PM
Why thank you, Porto D File, for that wonderfully eloquent reinterpretation of the grade-school standard, "nuh-uh!"
PDF is a DRM-laden failure of a format that is slowly sucking out my hopes for the future of the internet. A flipped bit marking copyrights and privelages can turn the wonderful exchange of free information we keep hearing so much about into an eyes-only online viewing experience. This has its uses in actual sensetive information and certain digital purchases, but when applied to a college titration lab it's just ridiculous.
Posted by: Pornboy | October 1, 2004 02:25 PM
PDF sucks --> .
People who use PDF and think it's grand are a bane to society. I am not the only one who feels this way. If I encounter PDF files on your web site, brochure, catalogue, whateva... you have lost my business, interest, and respect.
--> .
Posted by: Retroman | November 22, 2004 07:49 PM
I completely agree with Retroman. PDF sucks for so many reasons, naming a few: legacy (paper) oriented; can't edit it and make anything of use with it; can't view it the way YOU like; terrible bloated client that's 10 times slower than the slowest web browser and has ugly controls and features; sloooow search; disgusting browser plugin with additional toolbars, clutter, and bloat; a pain for developers; silly and useless copy protection; and the list goes on.
When I'm browsing the web I'm browsing the WEB. The second I see a website offering me a PDF file I think they don't know how to write HTML, so they must be not good or smart. "Oh but it looks so kewl, so professional", marketing folk think. Breaking news: it doesn't. It looks lame and pathetic. And I'm not using any other client than my browser, so if you have your crap in PDF format, I won't be reading it.
Posted by: Wiseman | January 13, 2006 03:25 AM