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by b1n 498 days ago
I've invented a replacement for the PDF format.

It's called Locked Markdown. `*.lmd`.

It provides 98% of the functionality most people use PDFs for, without all the extra bullshit.

The Spec:

- The most popular Markdown Spec (git flavour?)

- At the top of the page place a hash sum of the markdown below a marker on the page.

LMD Reader:

- Prevents editing the markdown.

- Warns user if the hash sum is not valid.

Example:

```lmd

sha256 77ec0f678315f8a207c3501137e1dfc9642b79a9c93e21807df7b5242846c05c

-------------------------------

# Header 1

Paragraph of text about how bloated the PDF format is.

```

Zip .lmd together with images/videos if required.

3 comments

What is stopping me just unzipping it, altering the file, hashing the file below the header and then zipping it back up?
Instead of a hash sum you could use a crypto signature. Makes it even more useful: if someone legitimately alters the file, you could verify who it was. While you're at it, make it a zipped git repository and you have edit history for free
not sure, but maybe hashing the media files to be zipped and including that hashlist in the hashed lmd would prevent that? or at least allow for a verification that they werent altered
DMCA and Trademarks
Locked Markdown sounds so close to my favourite defense contractor
Does it do vector graphics and custom fonts?