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Re: PDFs that read one word per line

for

From: Andrew Kirkpatrick
Date: Jan 26, 2010 8:12AM


> I like that , PDFu, I'll start using it as it is very fitting.

You've been outspoken in your criticism of PDF and Adobe on this list, and that's fine because we are making software for our users and it improves when we talk with and listen to our users. It is exciting and gratifying to get productive feedback from users who discuss their issues with us and then see improvements in the products that help address those issues. However, I don't think that adding a letter to make a double entendre out of PDF is going to help these conversations remain productive no matter how frustrated you are with the format.

> I still cant let Adobe off the hook completely because I dont see enough from them stating that they need to be made accessible and
> that it doesn't come accessible right out of the box.

I'm always looking for ways to improve our messages so that PDF files, Flash files, and anything else produced by an Adobe product stands an improved chance of being accessible. I'm sure that I've said things like "if you follow best practices during authoring then your PDF file can be accessible" but perhaps others are saying that PDF is a magic format that compensates for author's neglect of accessibility. I'm happy to take suggestions.

Thanks,
AWK

Andrew Kirkpatrick

Senior Product Manager, Accessibility

Adobe Systems

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