> Message: 11 > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: Re: [plug] PDFs may pose threat to Unix, Linux > From: Sacha Chua <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > <notes that LaTeX files are actually plain text files (shhhhh)> > > <notes that you can less a LaTeX file and actually understand it> > > <notes that you don't even usually need to convert a LaTeX file into > dvi or pdf form in order to read it>
Uncompressed PDF and PS files are also plain text files which you can open in a text editor and make sense of somewhat easily. Postscript is actually an interesting stack-based programming language which you might want to check out. (shhhh..... ;-)) The only reason PDF has become possible a virus/worm carrier is because they had to add that uncalled-for Javascript (ugggh!) functionality to it. A simple toggle in PDF readers that by default disallows absolutely any writes to the local filesystem as well as other sandboxing features should go a long way towards preventing mishaps. While I get taken in by its geek appeal every now and then, futzing around with TeX and output is a real time-sink. I belive though, that for mathematicians and scientists who want to write equation laden papers, there is no alternative that comes close. > > All hail Knuth. =) > I think Knuth is ovrerrated. The design of his software is quite anti-user and due to his eccentricity, his writing is rarely straightforward in its treatment of the subject matter. It does make for good diversionary reading every once in a while. Have you checked out 'The Stanford Graphbase'? Pretty cool. _ Philippine Linux Users Group. Web site and archives at http://plug.linux.org.ph To leave: send "unsubscribe" in the body to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Fully Searchable Archives With Friendly Web Interface at http://marc.free.net.ph To subscribe to the Linux Newbies' List: send "subscribe" in the body to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
