!ASIS Issue #068
!topic Format of document
!reference  ASIS 95
!from John Barnes 97-02-27
!keywords document format
!discussion

However, we wish to make an official complaint about the format.
===============================================================

Much of the time that the reviewers had allocated for this review
was spent in wrestling with attempting to print the document. Each
of us had different quite tedious and time-consuming difficulties.
Most related to page width, line numbering, colour printing, diagram
overlays etc.

It seems very strange that an international standard should be
circulated using such proprietary software. However, if the authors
must use Word for Windows which in my view is the worst designed word
processor available, then they should learn how to use it properly.

Broadly speaking, word processors can be used in two modes. The
childish way for one-off documents. The professional way for
maintainable documents.

The preset styles such as Normal are meant for quick use. A properly
designed document should use no predefined or default styles;
certainly every paragraph style should be set through customized
styles and character styles should also be used where appropriate.
Hardwired or default styles always lead to difficulties.

This document is entirely set using hardwired styles over Normal. It
is one of the worst set documents I have *ever* encountered.

!resolution  Accepted, with Modifications.
!date 97-03-26
!Notes

Appropriate changes have been made for better formatting using Word
6.0.  RTF will also be generated as a distributable format for the
document.

Changes were made in ASIS version 2.0.M.