dvips defaults to a4 despite /etc/papersize and $PAPERSIZE

[Manfred Georg]

Binary package hint: texlive-base-bin

The default behavior in dvips is to get a4 paper despite any system settings contrary.
Although I wish the program actually looked at /etc/papersize or the environment,
the package could just set the default correctly in
/usr/share/texlive-bin/config.ps
and /etc/texmf/dvips/config/config.ps
by placing the letterSize block above the a4 block for
locals that demand letter paper. This could be handled
by a script when dvips is configured.

Sigh, yet one more reason we should all just use a4 and be done with it.

Thanks,

Manfred

samsara /etc$ lsb_release -rd
Description: Ubuntu 7.10
Release: 7.10

samsara ~/rep/misc$ uname -a
Linux samsara 2.6.22-15-generic #1 SMP Wed Aug 20 18:39:13 UTC 2008 i686 GNU/Linux

samsara /etc$ apt-cache policy texlive-base-bin
texlive-base-bin:
  Installed: 2007-12ubuntu3.1
  Candidate: 2007-12ubuntu3.1
  Version table:
 *** 2007-12ubuntu3.1 0
        500 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com gutsy-updates/main Packages
        500 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/main Packages
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status
     2007-12ubuntu3 0
        500 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com gutsy/main Packages

[Norbert Preining (preining)]

On Thu, 02 Oct 2008, Manfred Georg wrote:
> Sigh, yet one more reason we should all just use a4 and be done with it.

One of already about 1000 bug reports on that. There is already a
proposal in one of the many Debian bugs on that. But volunteers
implementing that are missing.

Maybe that can be taken on by some Ubuntu Developer?

Best wishes

Norbert

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Dr. Norbert Preining <email address hidden> Vienna University of Technology
Debian Developer <email address hidden> Debian TeX Group
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