Re: Valid version of the PDF specification?

[Clay Leeds]

My preference is similar to Jeremias' preference. I prefer we move to a 
higher requirement(s) when there are clear and expressed needs for such 
moves. In fact, I would prefer we support 1.3 by default, and only 
require 1.4 or 1.5 for those items and features which require it. I 
admit, my knowledge of the spec is incomplete at best, but I'd like to 
see FOP work toward greater inclusion, moving toward wider support 
rather than narrowing our list of prospective consumers.

On a similar note, I think changes to FOP minimum requirements for 
output (and minimum requirements for running FOP) should be the result 
of an established need.

On Oct 9, 2004, at 5:46 AM, Glen Mazza wrote:
OK -- PDF 1.4 it is.  I agree with supporting Acrobat
V5.  However, I don't see backwards compatibility
concerns as much of an issue here, given the Acrobat
Reader is free and pretty easy to download.
It is free and easy to download, but the issue of system requirements 
[2] come into play, especially with regard to Adobe Reader 6.0.1 (see 
[2] for more on 6.x requirements). Since PDF 1.4 probably requires 
Adobe Acrobat Reader 5.x. I thought I'd post its requirements here:

Acrobat Reader 5.0 system requirements
(in addition to 24MB-60MB of Hard Disk)
================================
 Windows
 
 <<inline: blkbullet.gif>>Microsoft Windows 95 OSR 2.0 or better
 <<inline: blkbullet.gif>>64MB of RAM
 Macintosh
 <<inline: blkbullet.gif>>Mac OS 8.6*, 9.0.4, 9.1, or Mac OS X*
 <<inline: blkbullet.gif>>64MB of RAM
 <<inline: blkbullet.gif>>* Some features may not be available.
 IBM AIX
 <<inline: blkbullet.gif>>IBM AIX 4.3.3, 5.1
 <<inline: blkbullet.gif>>64MB of available RAM (128MB recommended)
 HP-UX
 <<inline: blkbullet.gif>>HP-UX 10.2, 11.0
 <<inline: blkbullet.gif>>64MB of available RAM (128MB recommended)
 Linux
 <<inline: blkbullet.gif>>Linux 2.2 kernel on X86 computer
 <<inline: blkbullet.gif>>64MB of available RAM
 Sun Solaris - SPARC®
 <<inline: blkbullet.gif>>Sun Solaris 2.6, 7, and 8 supported on SPARC and UltraSPARC® computers
 <<inline: blkbullet.gif>>64MB of available RAM
After seeing the broad spectrum of support, requiring Acrobat 5.x is 
probably fine, but it would be nice to have a fall-back for supporting 
pre 5.x (PDF 1.3). If it just means not supporting URLs or bookmarks or 
something--especially if it doesn't add too much to the development--it 
may be a small price to pay for the benefit.

Web Maestro Clay
Thanks,
Glen
--- Jeremias Maerki <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Do you have a particular reason for this? A feature that you need from
1.5? Most of the people I know who are users of Adobe Acrobat are 
still
with version 5 which uses PDF 1.4. Only a small number of people have
upgraded their Acrobat Reader to version 6. Start time of AR6 is a 
PITA
so I personally love to stick with v5 as long as possible.

One problem I see is that as soon as you state PDF 1.5 in your PDF 
file
you will get warnings in Acrobat versions 5.x. That might annoy some
people. I understand that PDF 1.3 is now outdated, but I'd prefer to
stay with PDF 1.4 for the time being.

On 09.10.2004 03:28:29 Glen Mazza wrote:
Team,
Which version [1] of the PDF spec does FOP follow?

Can HEAD use the most recent, version 1.5 from August
2003?
Thanks,
Glen
[1]

http://partners.adobe.com/asn/tech/pdf/specifications.jsp
Jeremias Maerki
[2]
http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/acrrsystemreqs.html
Web Maestro Clay
--
Clay Leeds - <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Webmaster/Developer - Medata, Inc. - <http://www.medata.com/>
PGP Public Key: <https://mail.medata.com/pgp/cleeds.asc>