[for-q-clinton]

There are many alternatives to .doc which are widely available. Can you say the same for PDF?

Really? Name one. And then you can probably use the same answer as a replacement for PDF.

What makes you say PDF can't be replaced? Or must be used? I'm asking with true sincerity. I really don't see what it provides that is so vital that other Open Standards technology or what Microsoft Technology can't also provide. So why only exempt PDF?

[NJ_gent]

"Really? Name one."

WordPerfect and OpenOffice provide several all by their lonesome selves.

"What makes you say PDF can't be replaced? Or must be used? I'm asking with true sincerity. I really don't see what it provides that is so vital that other Open Standards technology or what Microsoft Technology can't also provide."

Legal documents, for one thing. For a digital document to be admissible in court, it must not be alterable without leaving behind evidence of the alterations. You can mimmick some of that with word processors, but they're easily defeated. PDF meets legal standards for court documents. I'm sure others can point out many other reasons why PDF might be required, but I don't have the time right now to delve into it. Good day and good discussion; I may be around this weekend to chat some more.