MiKTeX and proTeXt ⇒ Does oberdiek bundle actually contain ifpdf package?

[JustA_LaTeXusr]

From the installation chapter of ftp://ftp.ctan.org/pub/tex/macros/latex ... /ifpdf.pdf, it sounds like having the oberdiek package means you have the ifpdf package. When I use the MiKTeX 2.9 package manager, oberdiek shows up as installed but ifpdf does not show up at all. The ifpdf package is not listed at http://www.ctan.org/pkg/oberdiek, but it is listed at http://miktex.org/packages/oberdiek. Obviously, I trust the latter more since I'm using MiKTeX, but it sure would be reassuring if ifpdf showed up explicitly. Is there a way to double check its presence?

This message has been posted as the following threads.
http://tex.stackexchange.com/questions/ ... df-package

[localghost]

[…] The ifpdf package is not listed at http://www.ctan.org/pkg/oberdiek, but it is listed at http://miktex.org/packages/oberdiek. […]

You are mistaken. Both places list that package. A good overview for the bundle with links to the corresponding package manuals is available via command line.

Code: Select all

texdoc oberdiek

[…] Obviously, I trust the latter more since I'm using MiKTeX, but it sure would be reassuring if ifpdf showed up explicitly. […]

I think it's preferable to trust the official source for packages (CTAN).


Remarks:

• Please be more careful when tagging a topic and do not just write what crosses your mind.

Thorsten

[JustA_LaTeXusr]

Hello, Thorsten,

The CTAN page contains a link to oberdiek.pdf lists ifpdf. The webpage itself doesn't (I used case-insensitive search), which I suspect is an error or simply datedness. Thanks for giving the hint to look further -- I never expected a disparity between the webpage summary and the document. And your suggestion to use texdoc made it abundantly clear that ifpdf is present.

I hear your remark about tagging. I thought I used what tags were suggested when I started typing, but I have to admit that I got a bit fuddled on how word completion worked in the entry field. I noticed that oberdiek is an orphan topic. Is that what you're referring to? I shall try to remove it.

Afternote: OK, I'm having some trouble enabling the tagging field, even after clicking the link to do so. I'm not sure whether it's related to the (often times) 300kbps access that I have during weekdays. Could you let me know if I'm going about it the right way and/or use your moderator privileges to remove the offending tag? Thanks.

[localghost]

[…] The webpage itself doesn't (I used case-insensitive search), which I suspect is an error or simply datedness. […]

I'm afraid that I have to disagree. The page lists the package very well. Have a look at the picture in the attachment. I have packed it into a ZIP archive in order not to break the forum format because it is a screen capture of the complete frame. The ifpdf package is highlighted by the direct search feature of Firefox.

[…] I thought I used what tags were suggested when I started typing, but I have to admit that I got a bit fuddled on how word completion worked in the entry field. […]

Tagging is case sensitive. So it makes a difference if you type "miktex" or "MiKTeX". If you start to type a term and see a corresponding suggestion in the right field, you can click on it and your input will be auto-completed with an appended comma and blank space. If the suggestion field stays empty during your input, it might be better to abstain from tagging.

[…] OK, I'm having some trouble enabling the tagging field, even after clicking the link to do so. I'm not sure whether it's related to the (often times) 300kbps access that I have during weekdays. Could you let me know if I'm going about it the right way and/or use your moderator privileges to remove the offending tag? […]

If things do not work properly for you or if you are unsure, let the board team do the tagging. It is not that important that users tag topics (although we appreciate it very much).

[JustA_LaTeXusr]

Yikes. There is some internet magic going on there. I visually located ifpdf in Internet Explorer. I then copied "ifpdf" (without quotes) and pasted into the search field, but the pasted text showed up as if-pdf. This caused the instances of ifpdf on the webpage to show up. The dash is not a normal dash using the dash on the keyboard causes only "if" to be found.

With that kind of magicry, I am standing on turbulent, broiling ground. I cannot rely on something as straightforward as text search. Unsettling to say the least. That says to me that one cannot rely on the CTAN webpage summary. We have to delve into the PDF document. Thanks for making that apparent.

[localghost]

[…] That says to me that one cannot rely on the CTAN webpage summary. […]

Au contraire. The CTAN summary page is most reliable. Would be very bad if the primary source for information on (La)TeX is not. Perhaps it's the used software (IE) that is the weak part here.

[JustA_LaTeXusr]

The problem is that a great many poeple will often find themselves working in an environment over which they have limited control. Hence, the browser is an unknown element, and is quite likely to be IE. Because of that lack of control over the browser, delving into the documentation is more reliable. On the other hand, if one could choose, then I would agree with you.