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Subject:re: Printing multiple HTML pages at once From:"Christensen, Kent" <lkchris -at- sandia -dot- gov> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Thu, 4 Oct 2001 16:29:30 -0600
re: The main frame has about 25 HTML pages ... the document could only be
printed one page at a time
I feel like saying "welcome to the world of the Web," but to avoid
digression would instead suggest again that when maintaining Web sites where
there is some liklihood and need for printing, one should seriously consider
the "printer friendly version" notion. One should just give in to the
notion that Web pages can pretty much only be designed for viewing
(browsing) and not for printing. It's the nature of browser technology,
etc. In addition, page design criteria for material viewed on a screen is
not the same as for printed matter. To best serve your customer you should
optimize both experiences by creating the "printer friendly version" method.
In your case, your "printer friendly version" can indeed be the entire
25-page document--with page numbers and all (and no "previous" and "next"
buttons). Suggest using pdf. Yes, there is the usual "we don't want to
maintain two versions of our document," but in today's world this is the
expected norm for customer service.
If you haven't seen a "printer friendly version" example, try any New York
Times article (nytimes.com). You'll note, among other things, that the
"printable" text is full page width and the user doesn't see unneeded menus,
etc. This format is still mostly convenient for the Times, and you can make
your printed version even more friendly by including page breaks, page
numbers, etc., if you don't use html.
BTW, there is no simple technology to print multiple html pages at once.
Customer friendly solutions are seldom simple for the creator--it's why
professionals make the big bucks. Another BTW: it would seem your Web site
is nicely designed for browsing ... it's a good thing the entire 25 pages
are not just a single file. If, however, it does use frames technology,
it's not so good because your users can't bookmark individual chapters ...
better to make single files and repeat the banner and left-side menus each
time. Makes search results make more sense, too.
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