Sometimes when you click on a link to a PDF, it comes up in the browser. Other times, the browser downloads the file. Everyone must wonder why, but few have wondered enough to find out. Here’s a quick explanation.
It has nothing to do with the PDF version, the content of the file, or the link. It’s the HTTP headers that make the difference. Specifically, a header called “Content-Disposition” is the determining factor. If it’s absent, the file will open in the browser. If it’s present, the value it specifies determines how you get the file.
Continue reading
According to the usual, somewhat simplified, description, a DNA molecule is a double helix, with its backbone made of phosphates and sugars, and four types of nucleotides forming the sequence. They are adenine, guanine, thymine, and cytosine, or A, G, T, and C for short. They’re always found in pairs connecting the two strands of the helix. Adenine and thymine connect together, as do guanine and cytosine.
The great GIF pronunciation debate
Of all the issues in file formats, the pronunciation of “GIF” is surely close to the bottom in importance. When an issue is that minor, you can be sure everyone has strong opinions on it and will defend them on the barricades. It’s like the way political movements work: the closer together they are in their beliefs, the more ferociously they’ll vilify each other over little differences.
Personally, I always pronounce it my mind with a hard “G,” as in “give” rather than “giraffe.” I’m glad to see some support for this view in “A Linguist’s Guide to Pronouncing ‘GIF’.” One of its arguments matches the main reason in my mind: the “G” stands for “graphics,” which is pronounced with a hard “G.”
Case closed. Now can we agree that “PNG” is pronounced “Pee-Enn-Gee,” and not “Ping”?
Comments Off on The great GIF pronunciation debate
Posted in commentary
Tagged GIF