[10451] in Public-Access_Computer_Systems_Forum
Re: paean to ascii -Reply
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Dan Lester)
Thu Jul 25 20:08:09 1996
Date: Thu, 25 Jul 1996 18:14:52 -0500 (CDT)
From: Dan Lester <DLESTER@bsu.idbsu.edu>
To: Multiple recipients of list PACS-L <PACS-L@UHUPVM1.UH.EDU>
Reply-To: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <PACS-L@UHUPVM1.UH.EDU>
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>>> Michael S. Hart <hart@prairienet.org> 07/23/96
05:51pm >>>
If you try the original file, and read it in a program that reads
Plain Vanilla ASCII, the pages look just fine. Try wide
margins, and use the cr/lfs that are in the file.
----------------
Michael, sir, that is your first problem. Loading in all the
damned CR/LFs to force us to read it in the particular width
of lines and such that you like. That is NOT Plain Vanilla
ASCII in my humble opinion, that is Formatted To Please
Michael Hart ASCII (FTPMHASCII). By doing this you're
destroying the utility of loading it into another program for
those who WANT or NEED to do so. Sure, I can load the
text into an ASCII editor and it looks pretty nice, but only IF I
want it double spaced. As far as I'm concerned it is MUCH
easier to read if it is single spaced. The only things I know of
that are better done double spaced are things that should be
marked up, such as a text for an editor to go over or a term
paper for a professor to bleed on. Sure, I can use some tools
to remove all the damnable CR/LFs you've put in (thus
increasing the bandwith, BTW), but why should I have to?
=================
Not sure why anyone would want chapter and section
headings, we go to great pains to take them out, to make the
file take less bandwidth.
--------------------
I know that I want them, as they are PART OF THE SACRED
TEXT. In many works of fiction in particular they are very
significant. Of course in some works of poetry and fiction the
original PHYSICAL format is also vital. I'd hate to see what
some of the concrete poets and many other poets would look
like in FTPMHASCII. The few bytes you saved by dropping
PART OF THE TEXT were more than made up for by the
CR/LFs you added. What you do is just NOT PVASCII.
=====================
I see you agree wholeheartedly with me on extending ASCII
further, but can we do anything to really get it done?
-----------------
Extending ASCII as such, no. Doesn't work with the present
system. I don't know if Unicode or .pdf or .xyz or .abc is or
will be the answer. Most likely there will be a series of
developments, as has been the case in other technological
areas. Someday the guys wanting to deal with ASCII may
be as out of luck as the ones who want to listen to original
Edison wax cylinders today.
=====================
> (By the way Prof. HART, do you use a colour monitor?)
>
Why? Do you want to know what color I am?
-------------------------
Just answer the question, Michael. We know what colour
you are. We know that from having seen your picture in the
Chronicle of Higher Education. Also, this being an equal
opportunity listserv, I'm sure no one cares.
cyclops
Dan Lester, Network Information Coordinator
Boise State University Library, Boise, Idaho, 83725 USA
voice: 208-385-1235 fax: 208-385-1394
dlester@bsu.idbsu.edu OR alileste@idbsu.idbsu.edu
Cyclops' Internet Toolbox: http://cyclops.idbsu.edu
"How can one fool make another wise?" Kansas, 1979.
