A pamphlet is usually multiple page textual document that informs. Pamphlets are usually disassociated with an advertisement or promotion and generally give generic or detailed information about a subject, good, service, group or organization.
Pamphlets are common when someone has a good or service that needs detailed explaining so that consumers may make and informed decision. Groups and organizations may use a pamphlet to describe the organization/group and it's objectives.
Evolution
The ability to create and maintain multiple paged documents and display them using the Web has take pamphlets into the digital age of information. Hyperlinks (point and click objects in an electronic document that transport users to other objects or documents) allow visitors to change page content with the click of a mouse and images never looked better than displayed on a monitor. Add the ability to use "thumbnails" to show miniature image representation that expands into full screen images (with some disadvantages due to file size) and the Web offers "Super Pamphlets" that can even be made interactive.
Advantages
The expense of regularly updating an "off-line" pamphlet to accurately reflect companies, groups, organizations, product and services specifics can create financial extrapolation. However Web based pamphlets can give the designer more control over updates and because it's inexpensive, the Web helps keep costs down, especially for nonprofit organizations and noncommercial entities.