Posted by dorayme on 09/23/06 21:31

In article
<1159000877.110547.137290@m73g2000cwd.googlegroups.com>,
usenet+2004@john.dunlop.name wrote:

> > Aside: on pages of mine where PDF downloads are available, I include
> > the usual Adobe Reader link and instructions, but also include same for
> > alternative readers, usually FoxItReader, and explain that it is much
> > more lightweight and less intrusive than Adobe.
>
> These instructions violate the principle Don't Mention The Mechanics.
> (Basil Fawlty's 'I mentioned it once but I think I got away with it'
> won't cut it on the WWW.)

They cut it all the time. Many people find such things useful.
One should try to avoid it but not treat the principle as some
sort of heaven sent tablet.

> After all, there are
> alternative ways of presenting the same information that do not involve
> mentioning the mechanics.

I wish I could be as cheerfully confident as you.

--
dorayme

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