Discussion:
Why is defalut page size 10" x 7.5"?
(too old to reply)
GodfreyD
2008-11-07 18:38:01 UTC
Permalink
Why is the default page size 10" x 7.5", not 11" x 8.5"? I realize I can set
it to letter size, but would like to know the rational for the default
setting.
GodfreyD
2008-11-07 19:10:01 UTC
Permalink
Typo -- meant to type "rationale", not "rational".
Post by GodfreyD
Why is the default page size 10" x 7.5", not 11" x 8.5"? I realize I can set
it to letter size, but would like to know the rational for the default
setting.
Steve Rindsberg
2008-11-07 21:08:30 UTC
Permalink
Post by GodfreyD
Why is the default page size 10" x 7.5", not 11" x 8.5"? I realize I can set
it to letter size, but would like to know the rational for the default
setting.
I suspect this goes WAAAYY back to PPT's origins as a Mac program.

The early Laserwriter printers had so little memory available that they played
a kind of tradeoff game ... they'd give up memory from the "page buffer" (the
RAM that held the dots prior to printing them) in exchange for more memory to
hold and process graphics/fonts/text.

When they gave away page buffer it meant that they couldn't print as large an
area and if memory serves, the smaller area was on the order of 10 x 7.5"

You can see my gray hair and wrinkles and hear my shaky voice from where yer
sittin' can'tcha sonny? ;-)



-----------------------------------------
Steve Rindsberg, PPT MVP
PPT FAQ: www.pptfaq.com
PPTools: www.pptools.com
================================================
Echo S
2008-11-07 22:39:05 UTC
Permalink
Post by Steve Rindsberg
Post by GodfreyD
Why is the default page size 10" x 7.5", not 11" x 8.5"? I realize I can set
it to letter size, but would like to know the rational for the default
setting.
I suspect this goes WAAAYY back to PPT's origins as a Mac program.
The early Laserwriter printers had so little memory available that they played
a kind of tradeoff game ... they'd give up memory from the "page buffer" (the
RAM that held the dots prior to printing them) in exchange for more memory to
hold and process graphics/fonts/text.
When they gave away page buffer it meant that they couldn't print as large an
area and if memory serves, the smaller area was on the order of 10 x 7.5"
You can see my gray hair and wrinkles and hear my shaky voice from where yer
sittin' can'tcha sonny? ;-)
I was just thinking, "Steve is scary."

LOL!

And here I was thinking it probably had to do with needing margins...but PPT
adds those anyway, so that's not it. Yeah, Steve...you are scary.

bwahahahaha
--
Echo [MS PPT MVP] http://www.echosvoice.com
What's new in PPT 2007? http://www.echosvoice.com/2007.htm
Fixing PowerPoint Annoyances http://tinyurl.com/36grcd
PowerPoint 2007 Complete Makeover Kit http://tinyurl.com/32a7nx
Steve Rindsberg
2008-11-08 02:58:26 UTC
Permalink
Post by Echo S
I was just thinking, "Steve is scary."
LOL!
And here I was thinking it probably had to do with needing margins...but PPT
adds those anyway, so that's not it. Yeah, Steve...you are scary.
bwahahahaha
<g>

I'm reputed to be one of the first humanoids ever to hook an Apple Laserwriter
to a PC. And live. And once you live through an experience like that, you
don't forget it.



-----------------------------------------
Steve Rindsberg, PPT MVP
PPT FAQ: www.pptfaq.com
PPTools: www.pptools.com
================================================
Edward
2008-11-08 22:37:01 UTC
Permalink
I thought it’s because of automatic margins in PP. Powerpoint unlike Word
doesn’t have options to change the margins and this makes sense because PP is
primary a presentation software not printing software so 10X7.5 is just the
printing area with fixed margins. For most countries that use A4 and metric
system this default printable area is different.
--
Best regards,
Edward
Post by Steve Rindsberg
Post by Echo S
I was just thinking, "Steve is scary."
LOL!
And here I was thinking it probably had to do with needing margins...but PPT
adds those anyway, so that's not it. Yeah, Steve...you are scary.
bwahahahaha
<g>
I'm reputed to be one of the first humanoids ever to hook an Apple Laserwriter
to a PC. And live. And once you live through an experience like that, you
don't forget it.
-----------------------------------------
Steve Rindsberg, PPT MVP
PPT FAQ: www.pptfaq.com
PPTools: www.pptools.com
================================================
Steve Rindsberg
2008-11-08 23:42:03 UTC
Permalink
Post by Edward
I thought it’s because of automatic margins in PP. Powerpoint unlike Word
doesn’t have options to change the margins and this makes sense because PP is
primary a presentation software not printing software so 10X7.5 is just the
printing area with fixed margins.
But that begs the question the OP asked: WHY is it 10x7.5? ;-)
Post by Edward
For most countries that use A4 and metric
system this default printable area is different.
7.5 x 10.83 I'd guess. That's what you get on a US system when you choose A4.

Still, considerably smaller than most modern printers' imageable area, so again
.. why so small?



-----------------------------------------
Steve Rindsberg, PPT MVP
PPT FAQ: www.pptfaq.com
PPTools: www.pptools.com
================================================
Enric Mañas
2008-11-08 23:57:23 UTC
Permalink
Post by Steve Rindsberg
Still, considerably smaller than most modern printers' imageable area, so
again ... why so small?
Page 22-23

http://www.gbuwizards.com/files/gbu-presenter-spec-austin-rudkin-gaskins-may-1986.pdf

;-)

mindWrinkled

Enric
--
Enric Mañas [MS MVP PowerPoint]
Post by Steve Rindsberg
I thought itâ?Ts because of automatic margins in PP. Powerpoint unlike
Word
doesnâ?Tt have options to change the margins and this makes sense because
PP is
primary a presentation software not printing software so 10X7.5 is just the
printing area with fixed margins.
But that begs the question the OP asked: WHY is it 10x7.5? ;-)
For most countries that use A4 and metric
system this default printable area is different.
7.5 x 10.83 I'd guess. That's what you get on a US system when you choose A4.
Still, considerably smaller than most modern printers' imageable area, so again
.. why so small?
-----------------------------------------
Steve Rindsberg, PPT MVP
PPT FAQ: www.pptfaq.com
PPTools: www.pptools.com
================================================
Steve Rindsberg
2008-11-09 20:29:32 UTC
Permalink
Post by Enric Mañas
Post by Steve Rindsberg
Still, considerably smaller than most modern printers' imageable area, so
again ... why so small?
Page 22-23
http://www.gbuwizards.com/files/gbu-presenter-spec-austin-rudkin-gaskins-may-1986.pdf
;-)
mindWrinkled
Or twisted. <g>

How DO you find these things? Amazing.

It does refer specifically to the Laserwriter (and Imagewriter), so I think my guess is
a fairly good one.

-----------------------------------------
Steve Rindsberg, PPT MVP
PPT FAQ: www.pptfaq.com
PPTools: www.pptools.com
================================================
Enric Mañas
2008-11-10 19:35:07 UTC
Permalink
Post by Steve Rindsberg
It does refer specifically to the Laserwriter (and Imagewriter), so I
think my guess is a fairly good one.
If not fairly... at least fairy?

;-)

Come on... You're *always* right! (or is it rite?)

;-)

And... "si non e vero, e ben trovato."

mindItIsItalianToday

Enric
--
Enric Mañas [PowerPoint MVP]
Post by Steve Rindsberg
Post by Enric Mañas
Post by Steve Rindsberg
Still, considerably smaller than most modern printers' imageable area, so
again ... why so small?
Page 22-23
http://www.gbuwizards.com/files/gbu-presenter-spec-austin-rudkin-gaskins-may-1986.pdf
;-)
mindWrinkled
Or twisted. <g>
How DO you find these things? Amazing.
It does refer specifically to the Laserwriter (and Imagewriter), so I think my guess is
a fairly good one.
-----------------------------------------
Steve Rindsberg, PPT MVP
PPT FAQ: www.pptfaq.com
PPTools: www.pptools.com
================================================
Steve Rindsberg
2008-11-10 23:34:39 UTC
Permalink
Post by Enric Mañas
Post by Steve Rindsberg
It does refer specifically to the Laserwriter (and Imagewriter), so I
think my guess is a fairly good one.
If not fairly... at least fairy?
Another fairly tale, is that what you're saying?
Post by Enric Mañas
;-)
Yep.
Post by Enric Mañas
Come on... You're *always* right! (or is it rite?)
Trite?


-----------------------------------------
Steve Rindsberg, PPT MVP
PPT FAQ: www.pptfaq.com
PPTools: www.pptools.com
================================================
GodfreyD
2008-11-12 15:26:01 UTC
Permalink
Thanks to all for your feedback. Also very impressed that Enric found that
'86 Presenter documentation.

I wonder if Microsoft will ever change the standard size to 11" x 8.5" since
the reasons for the 10" x 7.5" size are outdated. I encounter a lot of
problems dealing with reports done in the default setting that need to be
printed on 11" x 8.5" paper.
Post by Steve Rindsberg
Post by Enric Mañas
Post by Steve Rindsberg
It does refer specifically to the Laserwriter (and Imagewriter), so I
think my guess is a fairly good one.
If not fairly... at least fairy?
Another fairly tale, is that what you're saying?
Post by Enric Mañas
;-)
Yep.
Post by Enric Mañas
Come on... You're *always* right! (or is it rite?)
Trite?
-----------------------------------------
Steve Rindsberg, PPT MVP
PPT FAQ: www.pptfaq.com
PPTools: www.pptools.com
================================================
Steve Rindsberg
2008-11-12 18:26:06 UTC
Permalink
Post by GodfreyD
I wonder if Microsoft will ever change the standard size to 11" x 8.5" since
the reasons for the 10" x 7.5" size are outdated. I encounter a lot of
problems dealing with reports done in the default setting that need to be
printed on 11" x 8.5" paper.
It should be close enough to choose the "Scale to fit paper" option in the
print dialog box, even if the presentation's set to 10x7.5. Not a perfect fit
but nearly so.

That will tell PPT to scale the output as large as possible on the imageable
area of the current printer.
Post by GodfreyD
Post by Steve Rindsberg
Post by Enric Mañas
Post by Steve Rindsberg
It does refer specifically to the Laserwriter (and Imagewriter), so I
think my guess is a fairly good one.
If not fairly... at least fairy?
Another fairly tale, is that what you're saying?
Post by Enric Mañas
;-)
Yep.
Post by Enric Mañas
Come on... You're *always* right! (or is it rite?)
Trite?
-----------------------------------------
Steve Rindsberg, PPT MVP
PPT FAQ: www.pptfaq.com
PPTools: www.pptools.com
================================================
-----------------------------------------
Steve Rindsberg, PPT MVP
PPT FAQ: www.pptfaq.com
PPTools: www.pptools.com
================================================

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