So... 20 files? 20 files + 2 files (for main + append)? 1 big honking file?

Is the document aimed at folks likely to have broadband, or home users? I'd either do one big file, or split the main body and the appendix, so there's two. We once did a 10 MB catalog .pdf both as a single file and as chapters, and more people just downloaded the whole thing.

From the rumor story:

President Bush would elevate Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

t cue the bad German accent "Here? Und now??"

If there's any cross-referencing at all, go with the whole shebang approach. When I was on dialup, I could set a big download and go make coffee or something; but a lot of medium-sized downloads made me like, Is this really important? Can I get by with only one part?

I hear "jack" or "jack up" and think (a) home run and the enthusiasm spawned by same and (b) steroids. The car thing is a distant third. Perhaps I am thinking a bit provincially; FYI, I am unlikely to say either of these myself, but I watch enough ESPN that I have a tiny Steven A. Smith, like my own personal Satan, sitting on my shoulder.

Gollum as veep? Eep!

Speaking of people who may not always look human, the front page of Salon has a story on Joan Didion and next to the story a little thumbnail photograph. And I glanced at the photograph and thought, "What does an albino monkey have to do with Joan Didion?" And then I looked closer and realized that it was a b/w picture of Joan Didion.

But she totally looked like a cappucine monkey.

Is the document aimed at folks likely to have broadband, or home users?

Most of the users will be faculty, staff, and students, so they will be hooked into the gigabit backbone. So, honestly, a 7MB file shouldn't take more than a minute to download.

I'd either do one big file, or split the main body and the appendix, so there's two. We once did a 10 MB catalog .pdf both as a single file and as chapters, and more people just downloaded the whole thing.

Hmm. That'd work. And I can stick in bookmarks because I'm nice like that.

But I'm not sure anyone would want to download what would be 20 separate files.

I think people would go insane, unless it was very clear to them that they only needed to download, say, certain appendicies. Doesn't sound like this is the case, so I like DX's plan.

Rumour stage only, but still. Damn.

Condi's gonna ascend?

And now, the lie of the day, from the manufacturer of a HD I purchased a month ago:

Why does it take up to 8 weeks to process rebates?

We handle millions of rebates; each request is handled separately. This level of individual attention is why it can take up to 8 weeks to process a rebate.

They sent me an e-mail today, a week plus after I mailed in the rebate forms. Now, anyone with some decent computer savvy knows that all that happens is that $1/hour guy in India or Nigeria has a computer and has looked at all my rebate stuff and confirmed it's there. All they'd have to do is, once $1/hour guy approves my rebate, drop my name and addy in the queue and cut me a check posthaste. But they don't because "each request is handled seperately." This is because they want to hold onto the money for seven more weeks to make a buck in interest.

I'd love to see the Feds pass a law requiring that refunds be processed and checks mailed no later than four weeks after the postmark. But that ain't gonna happen.

Condi's gonna ascend?

Since she's GOP, does The Chris Rock Law apply?

But I'm not sure anyone would want to download what would be 20 separate files.

I don't think I'd download porn that was in 20 separate files, let alone work stuff. The only advantage I can see to putting it up like that would be if people are only likely to need a particular chapter.