Frank Heckenbach wrote:
Scott Moore wrote:
Ok, 550 pages. The following questions apply (for starters):
- Is it too incomplete to print at this time ? Better to wait ?
Maybe better, but potential customers may tell ...
Alright, the letters I have received to be on the side of waiting. That is fine. The offer still goes for later.
- Is the postscript or PDF suitable to be cut down to manual size ?
For example, the GCC manual is cut to 7x9 inches. Most people don't like 8.5x11" books, and the "perfect" in perfect binding occurs because the books are cut after binding, which cleans up the book considerably. I usually custom format my books for the final print size, and add "trim marks", which are marks on the 8.5x11 page that show where to cut it.
If you're building the manual yourself (`make gpc.ps' or `make gpc.pdf' in the <build>/gcc directory; requires (pdf)tex and the texinfo package), you can customize the paper size. Currently p/Make-lang.in contains `@afourpaper' (once for PS and PDF each). You could try replacing it with `@smallbook'. I haven't done this myself; according to the texinfo manual, this makes a paper size of 7 by 9.25 inch. Or by `"@pagesizes height,width"' for a completely custom size (text area, not paper size).
This is probally a trivial item. However, I should make it clear, at the risk of offending now (instead of later). If there is such work to be done, it should be done by a GNU member. I'm not offering my time, just the ability to create manuals. If you guys want 8.5x11, or some other size, thats fine. I brought it up principly because all GNU manuals I have seen are cut downs.
I don't think there's support for trim marks in texinfo, but it's easy to add them to the PostScript file afterwards (probably also to PDF, don't know myself).
Sure, or I can work with measurements.
- What cover art ?
So far we have the "Gnu & Blaise Pascal" drawing by Markus Gerwinski. Any objections to it?
None, but if you are talking about the one that appears in the GPC manual, it has no color. Most GNU manuals are color covers. PS, if you want full bleed (color runs to the edge), it also needs to be a cut manual (less than 8.5x11).
- Does FSF get funds from this (appears to be the standard arrangement
for GNU prints) ?
I think it's common practice, but it's not an obligation.
- What arrangements does GNU allow for printers of its material ?
I.e., does the FSF/GNU have problems with people printing under their name ? What conditions ? Does FSF/GNU run its own bindery, or allow for-profit printers to create material ? Does FSF/GNU want express control of that ? etc.
The GPC manual is released under the GNU GPL (with the exception of the copies of the licenses within the manual as well as the "GNU" chapter which may not be modified), so these terms apply (for the rest of the manual). Before you start seriously, you might want to check the license yourself. The main points are:
- You can use it and distribute it, in whichever form, modified or
unmodified, for any price you are able to get.
Yes, but that mainly applies to my producing "my brand" of the book. I'm proposing to use the standard GNU format and name. I.e., I don't really wish to do other than be your binder. I make that offer mainly because, whatever printing arrangements GNU/FSF has, whether done in house or contracted out, I am guessing that they are not going to be thrilled to hear that the GPC group wants to print a hundred or so manuals instead of the 1000's they are used to.
- For program source code the GPL says if you distribute a binary,
you must make the sources available. In this case, this could mean, if you distribute a printed version, you have to make the texinfo sources available. This should not be a real problem, since people can get them from our server anytime, but to be sure, you might want to keep a copy of the exact version you print, to be able to provide them on request (or put them on your web server if you like). If you make substantial changes, you might want to submit them back to us for future inclusion, though this is not strictly required (unless and until a purchaser of a printed manual demands those sources).
As I went into above, this would pretty much be a GPC group produced document.
- You have to grant the same rights to the recipients. (E.g., you
cannot prohibit making photocopies of the printed manual.)
- You have to retain the list of authors and copyright and licensing
information, as given on the first few pages (and a few other places in the manual).
(IANAL.)
Frank
So perhaps (if I have not offended you all to badly yet), we can talk about this down the line when the GPC manual is more complete, and perphaps the GPC group can find a volunteer to get a print-ready version together ?