[tex-live] Fontconfig for XeTeX versus regular fontconfig

[Vladimir Lomov]

Hello,
** Zdenek Wagner [2011-10-28 01:22:49 +0200]:

Just some my thoughts
> 2011/10/28 Karl Berry <karl at freefriends.org>:
>> ...
>> I totally agree about not worrying about more "unportable" xdv files.

> 1. An author can never be sure that another user has exactly the same
> system fonts installed, thus even the source file may be nonportable

IMHO, the point is that XDV file _will_ contain the absolute path but
PDF one _wouldn't_ (there must be some ways for PDF readers to get
"correct" font but I didn't look into PDF specification). The only
drawback here is that user have to generate PDF from given XDV on the
same host. But in most cases this is done automatically by xetex engine.

I'm not know very close how xe(la)tex or fontspec searches font files
but user don't have to specify fonts using absolute path to files. IMO,
this is the purpose of fontspec (and engine?).

> 2. If an xdv file is used for debugging, it is necessary to see the
> contents in hexadecimal, it usually need not be rendered.

> Thus it will hardly be useful to send an xdv file to someone else.
> IMHO nonportability will not be a problem.

>> k

---
WBR, Vladimir Lomov

-- 
All I kin say is when you finds yo'self wanderin' in a peach orchard,
ya don't go lookin' for rutabagas.
		-- Kingfish