The Only Constant is Change
After three years of producing ERPT tutorials in hypertext markup
language (HTML) we have decided to post current and future tutorials in
Portable Document Format (PDF). This format may be read and printed
on virtually any computer platform using the free AdobeR
AcrobatR Reader. We hope that you find the new format easy
to read, to print, and to learn from. There were several reasons
for making this change.
#1 -- EFFICIENCY OF CONVERSION ---
Most authors have submitted their material as MicrosoftR Word
files. Students who do not have MicrosoftR Word on their computers
cannot read these files, so our policy is to convert the files to a form
that is more universally readable and printable. When ERPT was
being designed in 1997 HTML was the only universally available format
that was in general use, so we adopted that as the standard, hoping that
authors would submit their work in that format. No author has yet submitted
an article coded in HTML, and since the automatic conversion programs
(from MS Word to HTML) produce terrible code the ERPT has had to
convert all the articles into HTML by hand. This has been particularly tedious
and difficult for equations. The process of conversion is automated
efficiently using AdobeR AcrobatR to make the PDF files.
The change will reduce the staff time required to prepare tutorials for the Web.
#2 -- SIMPLICITY IN NEGOTIATING DRAFTS ---
The editorial policies and preferences of ERPT are somewhat different
than those to which authors are used to following for research journals, textbooks,
conference presentations, and classroom handouts. Consequently, the submitted
article often goes through several stages of editorial revision (mandatory or
suggested changes) and author revision (to extend or clarify or provide examples
or object to the editor's suggestions) before the parties settle on a final draft.
It is easier to do this by exchanging a single MS Word file than by sending
a group of HTML and graphics files back and forth. AdobeR
AcrobatR allows the editor to "printed" out the final draft
as several sections to give PDF files of convenient size for downloading
in a reasonable time on a slow connection. So the change will also facilitate
the editing process and make life easier for authors.
#3 -- MORE CONTROL OVER VIEWER FORMAT ---
With HTML the display width can vary and viewers can choose to display
unformatted text in almost any font and size. With PDF the author or editor
specifies the font, size, and column width, so the viewer will see it the way
the author intended. Furthermore the author can be assured of the page
on which each word appears, so references to distant parts of the text are
possible. This reduces confusion.
#4 -- FREQUENT REMINDERS OF THE SOURCE ---
Each page that is printed out will now carry the citation for the article,
making it easier to find the correct citation for the material.
Are there any negatives? Yes.
#1 -- It may be harder to read the wider paragraphs.
In the HTML format we tried to keep the paragraph width at 11 cm,
since wider columns require horizontal scans with the eye.
With the change to PDF format we have gone a paragraph width of 16 cm.
#2 -- While you could do a word search in HTML format you cannot do
a word search in the PDF format, so the table of contents for the article
is more important than before for locating desired information.
Have you seen your editor recently? He has been busy soliciting
contributions to ERPT and recruiting members for the PTF.
-- In July of 2002 he participated in the Fourth World Congress on Particle
Technology (held in Sydney Australia), where he was named Technical Program
Manager for the Fifth World Congress on Particle Technology (to be held
in Orlando Fl in 2006).
-- In November of 2002 he attended the Annual Meeting of the AIChE (held in
Indianapolis IN), where he became the chair of the Particle Technology Forum
(a part of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers).
-- In May 2003 he represented the PTF and the AIChE at the International
Powder & Bulk Solids Technology Forum (held in St. Charles IL).
-- In March 2004 he plans to represent the PTF at PARTEC 2004 in Nuremberg, Gemany.
It is a pleasure for me to continue long-term professional relationships with
colleagues from around the globe, to do some mini-mentoring for students
who will soon be fully-credentialed colleagues, and to help pass on to the
new members of this community the basic understanding that I received from
my own senior mentors. I hope that you readers are either engaged in supporting
our technical community or will consider it and then realize the benefits.
ERPT's new format makes it easier for you to contribute
a tutorial or to use one. As more material moves from print and talk
to Web delivery and as connections to the InterNet become faster we anticipate
using more video clips, providing a centralized computation facility for
demonstration programs, and perhaps adding on-line video conferencing
for tutorial presentations, lab demonstrations, plant tours, and discussions
of educational methodology.
Stay tuned . . .