Re: character encoding assumptions and approaches

> > of data than another?  Did you know that there is text embedded in JPEG
> > files?
> 
> Actually no, my format experts here tell me that jpeg represents text as bits,
> but they might be mistaken. In any case, certainly we wouldn't expect conversion
> to utf-8 in mixed-content or print-format (e.g. pdf, postscript)  files.


To be pedantic, there is plain text embedded in some jpeg files.
For example:

'Created with The GIMP'

These same comments can be found in GIF, but also the GIF version 
information is in plain text. For example:
GIF89a

This is text and it is in graphic files, along with a Whole Lot of other 
information.

In theory these comments could be searched.  If it were mandated that the
utf-8 option bit means that text in all records, including external ones,
should be returned in utf-8, then there would be serious problems.

This is the point Ralph was trying to make, I think.

Rob

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