The other day, I uploaded a new ODF template, that contains most of the ISO paper sizes.
In the remainder of the blog entry, I'll try to explain my technical choices for the design of the template.
I created the template, believing that we need at least 1 template for each of the ISO paper sizes. I decided to keep all the paper sizes in 1 template, using the page styles.
I think that it has a lot to do with the user and what the user expects.
Most users probably think that they do not need every ISO paper size, even though they might need each size at least once in their lives. Therefore, bundling them together into 1 template would allow each user to have 1 complete set, which makes it a lot easier for people in general, because when they need a particular size, they have to go to only 1 place to find it. There are so many ISO sizes, and so many templates that are tagged with ISO tags on the OpenOffice.org template site, and the web site makes no effort to improve the browsing.
On the other hand, having 1 template for each book is better, because authors probably are not going to write so many books that they will need each book size. Having 1 size per template, makes it easier to get started on each book. As it is, writing a book is so time consuming, that figuring out a template could waste an author's time. Also, the book templates for Lulu.com are meant to be very specific for Lulu.com, although they can be usable for any other organization that accepts those specific sizes. Having a specific focus, makes it is easier to find Lulu.com templates on the OpenOffice.org templates site.
Do not forget to take my survey on ODF template user satisfaction.
If you have any questions, compliments, or suggestions, then feel free to ask.
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