Over the line, Smokey.

      By: Michael Silberman  |  September 27, 2004

      Okay, we have agreed to drop the capital "I" in internet. Next, can we please stop tricking people into downloading PDF's? It's a matter of common courtesy. Simple internet etiquette, right?

      Watching a PDF start its download when all you wanted was a webpage isn't like getting free bon-bons. It's like ordering a single pint of beer at a bar and then watching the bartender force two pints down your throat using a funnel. Maybe you like it, but it sure was a curveball.

      Case-in-point: Here's the link that the "MoveOn Student Action Team" (Noah, Meighan, Ben, Manasee, Paul) sent to their list as part of an email on 09-24-04:
      http://www.moveonstudentaction.org/dormstorm

      Looks just like your everyday neighborhood weblink, right? Click it, and WOAH! — you've got an 8-page PDF on your hands. It's just one level more dignified than a pop-up ad. Then again, you should click this one because it's actually great how-to for campus organizing and we're only days away from the big election.

      I don't think organizations or people even know that they're doing this to us unassuming web surfers, but take note. You're now on notice.

       


      Legacy Comments

      northside (not verified) — Tue, 09/28/2004 - 01:11

      Yes, thank you silbo, it's a pet cause of mine, and you are one more soldier that's dropped the i.... we will become an army. Is telephone capitalized? Is electricity? No. Tell the world... and tell those geeks in the southside.

      Terrance Heath — Tue, 09/28/2004 - 05:56

      I gotta agree. Everytime I click a link and see the Adobe Acrobat startup splash, I groan. If nothing else, include the name of the file and extension in the link, so I can see "pdf" and know what I'm getting into before I click...

      Mike Carvalho — Tue, 09/28/2004 - 09:18

      I propose a new standard interstitial graphic for all PDF links.This is a draft image, and a full proposal will be made available in portable document format (PDF) shortly. We will then enter a discussion period, after which a recommendation will be issued by the full committee. This recommendation document will be made available in PDF format.

      Michael Silberman — Tue, 09/28/2004 - 12:14

      mike c. - that's exactly the type of leadership we need on this important issue. thank you for your proactivity. i look forward to the beginning of the public comment period

      Justin Miller — Wed, 09/29/2004 - 09:46

      Heh... contact your sysadmin immediately... easy for you to say ;-)