I think it would be better if the students get the LaTeX code
Of course it would! The question is *not* "should the tex come with an FDL-pdf?" We all agree on that.
The question is: Given a dozen of simply formatted text documents, given they'll all carry the same license, given most of them will but a few will not come with the .tex, given the author wants anyone to have the 4 freedoms (as conveniently as possible under this restrictions), is it better to put "All rights reserved" (status quo), a CC license or the FDL?
I think we've established legally FDL is possible. The remaining controversy is about what is better morally.
One position is "if it's not ultimately free, dismiss it." (And some count FDL as *non*free.) I rather support "make it as free as possible. Then keep improving."
Besides, let's not forget that handing out printouts is perfectly fine under FDL, since they're surely fewer than 100. (Anyone who thinks this is wrong should comment the drafts for FDL2)
Beside that PDF is listed as example for a transparent copy:
This would settle the issue! Thanks for pointing it out, I looked the FDL up in RMS' book and there's only ver 1.1.
However, will pdflatex resp. dvi>ps>pdf give "PDF designed for human modification" or "PDF produced by some word processors for output purposes only"?
Thanks again, hwe
PS: What about the no-transparent-original question -- if its pdf counts as opaque, eg. PowerPoint presentations can't be FDL'ed (unless there're less than 100 copies).