Why Do We Even Use PDF Files Anymore?

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pdf-why

Ok, well maybe not using them at all, I can see sometimes when they are useful but most times it’s more hassle than anything… but I personally hate them. When you copy and paste a lot of things like I do for press releases the formatting doesn’t work correctly, or should I say it does and then it has to be re-formatted again to fit the sites correctly.

Every time I see a PDF in my email I’m loathe to open it as I know it’s just going to be extra work for me.

I just got one from Spire about their Cassi 323 mobile stand and here’s what it looks like if I just copy and paste:

(I’m not singling out Spire of course, it’s just the latest one I got… it’s all of them that do it that are annoying)

 

The Cassi 323, part number: SP323-AL-WT, ergonomic stand and mobile holder is designed for
tablet PCs, eBook and iPad. The Cassi 323 is a product that makes make viewing and working on
your mobile device much more comfortable and healthy. Reduce neck stain, palm and elbow
pressure by just placing your mobile device on the Cassi 323 and position to the desired and most
comfortable angle. The coated aluminum alloy frame is strong and of high quality and gives it a
sophisticated look. The Cassi 323 is robust, compact and lightweight, it weighs just over 300
grams. Overall a great product and perfect portable choice for mobile computing from Spire –
Powered by Innovation.
Main Features:
* Gentle slope to set screen to any desired position (360)
* Elevated anti-slip protective, rubber pads on the base
* Portable and lightweight, just over 300 grams
* Easy on the go and working on the road
* Stylish, robust and innovative structure design
* Compatible with iPad, eBook and tablet PCs
* Backed by 2 year limited service warranty
Compatibility:
The Cassi 323 ergonomic eBook stand is compatible with
eBooks, iPad, Kindle DX and various Tablet PCs on the
market today.
MSRP:
USD 24.99 / EURO 18.95
Product Includes :
* User manual *Warranty registration card
Availability:
The Spire Cassi 323, item number# SP323-AL-WT is now available from Spire Shenzhen, China as
well as our head-office in Maarheeze, The Netherlands. Feel free to contact us for samples and
specification details.
About Spire:
Spire, founded in 1998 in The Netherlands, is a global supplier of cooling solutions, power
supplies and Enclosures for the personal, gaming and networked personal computer. With its
manufacturing plant in Shenzhen, China. Branch locations in Japan and Brazil. Offering a wide
range of thermal products and accessories for the computer industry.
Product url:
http://www.spire-corp.com/main/product_detail.asp?ProdID=1195

 

Look at the formatting it’s ridiculous really, now here it is after I spend the time to ‘fix’ it:

 

The Cassi 323, part number: SP323-AL-WT, ergonomic stand and mobile holder is designed for  tablet PCs, eBook and iPad. The Cassi 323 is a product that makes make viewing and working on  your mobile device much more comfortable and healthy. Reduce neck stain, palm and elbow  pressure by just placing your mobile device on the Cassi 323 and position to the desired and most  comfortable angle. The coated aluminum alloy frame is strong and of high quality and gives it a sophisticated look. The Cassi 323 is robust, compact and lightweight, it weighs just over 300 grams. Overall a great product and perfect portable choice for mobile computing from Spire –Powered by Innovation.

Main Features:
* Gentle slope to set screen to any desired position (360)
* Elevated anti-slip protective, rubber pads on the base
* Portable and lightweight, just over 300 grams
* Easy on the go and working on the road
* Stylish, robust and innovative structure design
* Compatible with iPad, eBook and tablet PCs
* Backed by 2 year limited service warranty

Compatibility:

The Cassi 323 ergonomic eBook stand is compatible with  eBooks, iPad, Kindle DX and various Tablet PCs on the  market today.
MSRP: USD 24.99 / EURO 18.95

Product Includes :

* User manual *Warranty registration card

Availability:
The Spire Cassi 323, item number# SP323-AL-WT is now available from Spire Shenzhen, China as  well as our head-office in Maarheeze, The Netherlands. Feel free to contact us for samples and  specification details.

About Spire:
Spire, founded in 1998 in The Netherlands, is a global supplier of cooling solutions, power  supplies and Enclosures for the personal, gaming and networked personal computer. With its  manufacturing plant in Shenzhen, China. Branch locations in Japan and Brazil. Offering a wide  range of thermal products and accessories for the computer industry.

Product url: http://www.spire-corp.com/main/product_detail.asp?ProdID=1195

 

Now isn’t that better? Things are separated and not run together, much easier to read. Now that was a small press release so it didn’t take long to fix it, but still I shouldn’t have had to do it at all honestly. I’ve got them where they are multiple pages and just take too much time to fix them.

My fixed version is actually how it looks in the PDF file, but when you copy and paste the formatting gets all weird for whatever reason.

Why can’t everyone just use a Word document style file, not even Word, maybe just Open Office, the formatting transfers over and there’s no extra work to do.

They’re just so annoying to me really.

 

…I don’t know I just had to get that off my chest…