[time-nuts] HP E1938 Web Page

[Neon John]

On Wed, 29 Aug 2007 00:44:56 EDT, SAIDJACK at aol.com wrote:


>Hi John,
> 
>ok, I guess my comment about 600dpi PDF files being sufficient for the job  
>is not resonating here. Case in point:
> 
>At a previous employer, our boss insisted "vector is the only way to  go" for 
>schematics and other images. So when we did documentation in Framemaker  
>(under Linux I must add) we added DXF vector files for the schematics as  required.
>
>The result was a disaster: Framemaker 6 totally butchered our  schematics. 
>The DXF files themselves were not the issue.

The fault was using a whacky fringe program on a fringe operating system and not the
vector file.  Do the same thing with a mainline publishing package like PageMaker,
InDesign, Quark or even, God forbid, Microsoft turd and see how it comes out.  I've
contract-published uncountable documents that used vector graphics without a burp.

>Since we don't plan to re-build the E1938A PCB's here (or do we?) I don't  
>think vector files for simple PCB silkscreen images that are probably ok in  
>150dpi are an absolute must and raster files are "junk".

Who knows?  What do you reckon these guys would have given for some Gerbers?

http://www.altairkit.com/

Actually he tells you how much he'd have given for Gerbers.... A lot.

The trend for people remaking old hardware is increasing

http://www.retrothing.com/2006/12/altair_8800_rep.html

> 
>Some folks commenting here about the absolute need for vector files don't  
>even seem to have an E1938A or a need for it's documentation.

Doesn't matter.  None of us have crystal balls but with the benefit of hindsight we
know (most of us at least) know that it's bad karma to throw information away,
especially for no good reason.  I can easily convert from vector to raster.  Not so
easy going the other way.
 
>I personally would prefer some "low tech" JPEG pictures of the E1983A  hookup 
>rather than "infinite" resolution HPGL files of silkscreens etc that are  not 
>very helpful in using the unit.

So convert 'em yourself to your own needs.  Meanwhile leave the originals alone so
that other people with other needs (such as myself who needs to blow the drawings up
to be able to see them without a magnifying glass) can take care of those.  There are
zillions of programs out there, free and commercial, that can do the vector/raster
conversion.  Just not a big deal if that's what you want.

John
--
John De Armond
See my website for my current email address
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Tellico Plains, Occupied TN
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