ietf-822
[Top] [All Lists]

TIFF / GIF / PostScript / EPS...

1992-03-27 18:28:32
From: Larry Masinter <dartvax!parc.xerox.com!masinter>
Date:         Fri, 27 Mar 1992 14:35:49 PST

One of the serious interchange problems with postscript files as an
application type is that the reference given in the MIME document

     [POSTSCRIPT]  Adobe  Systems,  Inc.,   PostScript   Language
     Reference Manual,  Addison-Wesley, 1985.

is not adequate to ensure interoperability of documents from one
systemto another. To take a small example, the above document places
no constraints upon fonts or font names.  However, most people
actually desire to transmit documents in the postscript format which
they can actually print and view; if I send you a postscript file that
uses fonts and character sets which you do not have installed on your
printer or in your display-based postscript viewer, you will not be
able to read my document.

I would tend to agree.  A more appropriate solution might be
application/EPS, and send Encapsulated PostScript instead (which will
help get around missing typeface resources).  A general "PostScript"
can't really be formally specified unless it's clearly documented
what the domain of typefaces will be (Helvetica-Narrow or
Helvetica-Condensed is a classic example).

Sender: Larry Masinter <dartvax!parc.xerox.com!masinter>
Date:         Fri, 27 Mar 1992 14:18:44 PST

I feel pretty concerned about the lack of precision in the registered
data types in MIME mail -- it will come to haunt us VERY SOON. How
hard would it be at this point to change "ps" to "ps;1" and "gif" to
"gif;89a" and "tiff" to "tiff;5.0"?

Once again, I agree.  GIF and PostScript are the biggest concerns.  With
TIFF, the only thing that needs to be guarded against is the magic number
stored in the file -- any TIFF reader should be able to limp through
images that have the "42" stored in them.  PostScript level 2 and the new
GIF should definitely be supported in some different fashion.

Blake
-- 
USNail: Blake C. Ramsdell               Compuserve: 72470,3530
        Pinpoint Publishing / HTE       MCI Mail:   BLAKERS
        PO Box 887                      GEnie:      BLAKERS
        Hanover, NH  03755              UUCP:       dartvax!pinpoint!blake
                                        Internet:   
blake(_at_)pinpoint(_dot_)com

Voice:  (603) 643-1970                  FAX / SatisFAXtion: (603) 643-2053

<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>
  • TIFF / GIF / PostScript / EPS..., Blake C. Ramsdell <=