on Tue, Sep 09, 2003 at 04:07:04AM +0100, Pigeon (jah.pigeon@ukonline.co.uk) wrote:
> On Sun, Sep 07, 2003 at 02:17:55AM +0100, Karsten M. Self wrote:
> > on Sun, Sep 07, 2003 at 01:28:33AM +0100, Pigeon (jah.pigeon@ukonline.co.uk) wrote:
> > > On Sat, Sep 06, 2003 at 03:57:23AM +0100, Karsten M. Self wrote:
> > > > on Fri, Sep 05, 2003 at 08:02:24PM +0100, Pigeon (jah.pigeon@ukonline.co.uk) wrote:
> > > > > I've just been given a copy of the Farnell Electronics
> > > > > catalogue CD. This has the unfortunate design of wanting to
> > > > > install some Windoze package in order to read the catalogue.
> > > >
> > > > Ask Farnell what they've used.
> > > >
> > > > And why they're restricting themselves to proprietary formats.
> > >
> > > I've pointed out that they're cutting themselves off from the
> > > increasing number of people who don't use Windows, and asked them
> > > what format it's in... anyone care to run the book on whether I
> > > get a useful answer? :-)
> >
> > Cool.
> >
> > I'd recommend you run a short for NewsForge or LWN on the outcome of
> > this. Post the interchange on your website (or if you don't have
> > one: http://twiki.iwethey.org/ would be more than happy to provide
> > space and bandwidth) and link it with a brief one paragraph writeup.
>
> I got an answer...
>
> > From techsupport@farnellinone.com Mon Sep 08 13:01:51 2003
> >
> > Sorry, our CD catalogue is only designed to function on Windows
> > based systems. We are unable to disclose the data format.
>
> I don't really think I can take it forward from there unless I can
> find out what the format is, so I can make constructive suggestions as
> to an open-source format that they could use that it would be simple
> for them to convert to.
If you're keen to get the data, try WINE.
If this is something you paid for, return it for a refund.
Incidentally, I downloaded some PDFs from their site, which were among
the worst-displaying I've ever seen. Not sure what they're smoking.
Characters all over the page, whatnot.
Any interest in writing this up?
Peace.
--
Karsten M. Self <kmself@ix.netcom.com> http://kmself.home.netcom.com/
What Part of "Gestalt" don't you understand?
Defeat EU Software Patents! http://swpat.ffii.org/
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