Re: [tdf-discuss] New "LibreOffice Reader" Eliminates Need for "PDF Reader"

On 25 June 2011 13:37, Simon Phipps <simon@webmink.com> wrote:

> On 25 Jun 2011, at 08:33, Ian Lynch wrote:
>
> > Manfred wrote:
> >
> > "I still believe that PDF is the best solution to distribute final
> versions
> > of text (and maybe other office) documents."
> >
> > I'd say yes if they are likely to be printed on paper, no if it is only
> > likely to be read from a screen.
>
> I disagree. Once a document no longer needs editing (and this is a frequent
> need in daily life - think purchase receipt, invoice, insurance schedule and
> so on) it needs to be provided in an electronic format that cannot be easily
> altered. PDF plays this role, ODF doesn't.

In most cases those documents that you give as examples would be covered by
"likely to be printed on paper".  That was my point, we already have pdfs
for this. pdf is less than optimal for storing documents that are only
viewed on screens.

ODF files can be encrypted and passworded in cases where security is
required so it is easy to make it difficult to alter, it's just relatively
rare to need to.

The world is moving to the web and desktop applications are going to have to
as well. All I'm saying is why waste time on "readers" when getting LibO to
the web is far more important. If you are going to do some sort of reader
make it something relevant to where things are going not to where they have
been or where need is already satisfied.

It's a different issue, but I think the reliance on pdfs as "not easily
editable" is dubious. There are plenty of pdf editors so if anyone really
wants to edit a receipt or invoice stored in that way they can. If they are
prepared to do unlawful things it's very unlikely that having to buy a pdf
editor is going to be much of a deterrent. That is a whole area of
difficulty that the paper reliant world has not come to terms with. We have
it with certificates. Paper based or pdf certificates are a major cause of
certification fraud because they are very easy to forge. The best way to
record such evidence is in a secure database that is quick and easy to
authenticate against. I can see a time when paper based documents are in a
small minority and important information will be in encrypted databases
where making it secure is much easier. Question is where does LibO fit into
that world?

S.
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