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Re: [Groff] Re: Bug in mm macro package
From: |
Werner LEMBERG |
Subject: |
Re: [Groff] Re: Bug in mm macro package |
Date: |
Sun, 19 Feb 2006 21:55:42 +0100 (CET) |
> > I don't see how this is related to the concept of accessing a font
> > position directly. \f[B] does the same, doesn't it?
>
> It does now, but in 1989-1993 there was no .fam request, and it was
> much easier to use .fp instead of \f(NB or some such thing in a
> macro file, having to change it throughout the package.
OK.
> Then there was the other problem of others who would specify \fB or
> \fR in the regular text instead of using macros, which caused troff
> to substitute Times Roman instead of New Century Schoolbook, etc.
> Requiring the use of \f3 instead forced them to think about what
> they were doing, rather than non-chalantly typing \fB and changing
> the font to something non-standard for the book.
I see. Well, with groff's `.ftr' request to translate fonts this
argument no longer holds.
> When I inherited the HP-UX reference and man pages
> in 1989, it was a mish-mash of \fR, \fB, .BI and a bunch of
> other AT&T-isms.
Well, this is bad, of course. Whatever is used, it should be
consistent.
> The newer method of using .fam may be more current, but .fp is
> still valid for those who might prefer that approach, and should
> be maintained in groff in order to be compatible with troff.
Returning to the very problem, the mm macros as contributed to groff
use `R', `I', `B', and `BI' exclusively. Font changes should be done
with .fam or .ftr.
> Besides, it's easier to type \f1, \f2, \f3, and \f4 than to type
> \f[R] \f[I], \f[B], etc. (I don't have to go looking for the "[" and
> "]" keys every time I need them.) :-) Then there's the problem that
> some of us "old dogs" don't particularly want to have to learn new
> tricks, even when we ought to. :-)
I still don't know what to do. :-(
Werner