Re: [Bug-gnupress] To Do List

[Simon Law]

On Tue, Apr 08, 2003 at 01:25:53PM -0400, Lisa M. Opus Goldstein wrote:
> Simon Law <address@hidden> wrote:
> >     Funny you should mention this.  I'm not quite sure how there is
> > this much wasted space.  I'm looking at a copy of the GCC manual now and
> > it seems fine to me.  Currently we have 394 physical pages.
> > 
> >     Perhaps you could show me a sample: with before and after so
> > that I can compare.  I get the feeling that we may not be communicating
> > properly (not on the same page, so to speak.)
> 
> Actually, one thing I just realized that I should make extremely
> clear.  I print using the @smallbook feature.  Have you been using
> this when you look at layout? 

        Oh dear me, no.

        I was completely unaware that @smallbook existed.  Do you also
use @smalldisplay, @smallexample, @smallformat, and @smalllisp as well?

> It could just be that I am getting "greedy" when it comes to space. I
> want to conserve as much as possible out of habit.  I agree that for
> the Using GCC manual, it is not as crucial.  But for the C Library
> Reference Manual, it will be more of an issue.

        I will look at Using GCC in this new format.  It may be possible
to squeeze in one more line after a section, but as you know, TeX also
has elastic space in order to keep the height of the text block even.

> >     No kidding?  Do they do page alignment for you then?  Or do you
> > supply a document with a Bounding Box?
> 
> They do page alignment for us also.  No need for a bounding box. We
> alternate between using 2 or 3 local printers; they all know us and
> are used to us.  I check the margins on the proof copy. Also, our page
> designs are simple; there are no lined borders or artwork, so a
> centimeter this way or that way doesn't make a huge difference.

        I see.  Then I will not worry about it.

> >     As well, I seem to recall that books have signatures, and that
> > means we need target page counts.  Do you know how many leafs are in a
> > signature?
> 
> Signatures have 16 pages each. However, nowadays that might not
> matter, too. It depends on how the book is printed.  Signatures are
> required in hard-cover books, but only used sometimes in paperbacks.
> Normally, the way we print paperbacks does not require them.

        OK.  If we come close to mod 16 pages, I will aim to squeeze
the book down just in case you want to reprint in hard-cover.

Simon