To pdf or not pdf - that is the question

I am working on a business Web site which will feature both Case Studies and
White Papers. Is there a rule of thumb for formats? I have seen many, many
sites that have all white papers exclusively in pdf format. My gut instinct
tells me to make the white papers in a pdf format (opening in a new window) and
keeping the case studies in html format. One of my pet peeves with sites is
opening a pdf file in the SAME WINDOW as the site!! I hate that because some
users will assume it was opened in a new window and when they close the window
they leave the site! Any design gurus here who can give some advice?

Just zip the pdf and link to them with something like "download pdf doc" or
something.



"jip" <webforumsuser (AT) macromedia (DOT) com> a écrit dans le message de news:
cnvseq$3vv$1 (AT) forums (DOT) macromedia.com...

I am working on a business Web site which will feature both Case Studies
and
White Papers. Is there a rule of thumb for formats? I have seen many, many
sites that have all white papers exclusively in pdf format. My gut
instinct
tells me to make the white papers in a pdf format (opening in a new
window) and
keeping the case studies in html format. One of my pet peeves with sites
is
opening a pdf file in the SAME WINDOW as the site!! I hate that because
some
users will assume it was opened in a new window and when they close the
window
they leave the site! Any design gurus here who can give some advice?

In my experience, most documents such as white papers are PDFs mainly
because most people will download them to read them. It also ensures that it
stays intact, verbatim, and is formatted with graphics etc just as you like.
All you have to do is link to it and make sure it opens in a new window.
They can read it or download it as they see fit.

MD


jip wrote:

I am working on a business Web site which will feature both Case
Studies and White Papers. Is there a rule of thumb for formats? I
have seen many, many sites that have all white papers exclusively in
pdf format. My gut instinct tells me to make the white papers in a
pdf format (opening in a new window) and keeping the case studies in
html format. One of my pet peeves with sites is opening a pdf file
in the SAME WINDOW as the site!! I hate that because some users will
assume it was opened in a new window and when they close the window
they leave the site! Any design gurus here who can give some advice?

My gut instinct
tells me to make the white papers in a pdf format (opening in a new
window) and
keeping the case studies in html format. \

Don't open a new window. But otherwise, that's a fine option. Though I
always suggest HTML be the first file format whenever possible.

One of my pet peeves with sites is
opening a pdf file in the SAME WINDOW as the site!!

Then change your own computer settings. PDFs are an external file format.
The web browser doesn't handle them. The PDF plug-in does, and that is
entirely in the hands of you.

If you purposely make a pop-up window, than anyone like me, or anyone just
using a Mac, will end up with a PDF open in Acrobat and a useless, blank Web
page window.

Alas, I find this a problem with Adobe and their stupid PDF plug-in. They
thought they could make the web one giant PDF file.

-Darrel

Don't open a new window??? After some 5 years of complaints I would have to suggest ALWAYS open a
new window!

Here's another thing, if you are able, and the PDF's are simple, let's say some text and a pix, not
something like an entire color brochure; then make an equivalent page and give people an option.
Capt. Purple


"darrel" <notreal (AT) hotmail (DOT) com> wrote

My gut instinct
tells me to make the white papers in a pdf format (opening in a new
window) and
keeping the case studies in html format. \

Don't open a new window. But otherwise, that's a fine option. Though I
always suggest HTML be the first file format whenever possible.

One of my pet peeves with sites is
opening a pdf file in the SAME WINDOW as the site!!

Then change your own computer settings. PDFs are an external file format.
The web browser doesn't handle them. The PDF plug-in does, and that is
entirely in the hands of you.

If you purposely make a pop-up window, than anyone like me, or anyone just
using a Mac, will end up with a PDF open in Acrobat and a useless, blank Web
page window.

Alas, I find this a problem with Adobe and their stupid PDF plug-in. They
thought they could make the web one giant PDF file.

-Darrel

"Captain Purple" <webmaster (AT) removemypantsmksound (DOT) com> wrote

Don't open a new window??? After some 5 years of complaints I would have
to suggest ALWAYS open a
new window!

I agree. A pdf is the *one* place where you want a new window. (Well, I
will also grant that small popup windows are okay for small bits of
information that don't belong on the main web page. Otherwise, new windows
should be simply left in the hands of the person browsing.)

IMNSHO.

tim

Don't open a new window??? After some 5 years of complaints I would have
to suggest ALWAYS open a
new window!

Again, PDF files are NOT PART OF THE BROWSER. Therefore, you need to realize
that the end-user is in control.

On my PC, if you open a new window, and I end up with the PDF open in
Acrobat, and a blank, unecessary browser window.

Anyone on a Mac will always get a blank extra window.

If you want to do this, then give people a choice:

Download PDF | (launch in new window)

-Darrel

I agree. A pdf is the *one* place where you want a new window. (Well, I
Otherwise, new windows
should be simply left in the hands of the person browsing.)

Those are contradictory statements. ;o)

-Darrel

Thanks for all the great feedback. I really appreciate it!

.oO(Tim Gallant)

I agree. A pdf is the *one* place where you want a new window.

No, you don't want. You can't control how the user agent will handle the
downloaded data. If it's not able to display it directly using a plugin
it will prompt a download dialog, leaving a useless empty window open.
That's annoying.

Otherwise, new windows
should be simply left in the hands of the person browsing.

At least Firefox allows to ignore target-attributes for opening new
windows, I hope Opera will implement something similar soon.

Micha