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Re: Re: Which editor do you use for math

• To: mathgroup at smc.vnet.net
• Subject: [mg95722] Re: [mg95704] Re: Which editor do you use for math
• From: Andrzej Kozlowski <akoz at mimuw.edu.pl>
• Date: Sun, 25 Jan 2009 21:47:45 -0500 (EST)
• References: <gletfq$4nm$1@smc.vnet.net> <200901251152.GAA00679@smc.vnet.net>

To anyone who is thinking of using TeX to write some serious  
mathematics I would also recommend Michael Spivak's "The Joy of  
TeX" (1990 AMS) together with the AMS macros (which are also included  
in the more recent AMS-LateX. AMS-Tex works with Plain TeX, which  
sometimes is more flexible than LateX).
Spivak's book is very clear and witty, and, for a mathematician, much  
more accessible than Knuth's rather incomprehensible manual. Yes, the  
title is rather 1980s and yes, it meant to remind you of what it  
probably reminds you (if you are old enough, that is).

As for Donald Knuth, I think the Art of Computer Programing does him  
more justice as a genius and this book:

http://www.press.uchicago.edu/presssite/metadata.epl?mode=synopsis&bookkey=22258

as a writer.

Andrzej Kozlowski




On 25 Jan 2009, at 12:52, AES wrote:

> In article <gletfq$4nm$1 at smc.vnet.net>,
> Bill Rowe <readnews at sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>
>>
>> If you are to effectively make use of LaTeX you will definitely
>> want to get a book written about using LaTeX. Like Mathematica,
>> LaTeX will require quite a bit of study/usage before you will
>> really be comfortable using it. I believe the payoff for
>> learning LaTeX warrants the effort.
>
> I'd just add that you might also want to acquire a copy of Knuth's
> original users guide for TeX, not only for getting a very readable
> introduction to the basic concepts of TeX itself, but even more just  
> for
> the pleasure of reading or scanning it and getting a near-personal
> encounter with a genuine genius, as well as adding a true classic to
> your library.
>
> (Of course it may also make you weep, which you compare Knuth's  
> approach
> to user documentation to Wolfram's current approach.)
>
> Last I looked there was one used copy of the original spiralbound
> paperback TeXBook for sale on amazon for $25.  Given the tattered
> condition of my original copy, I nearly bought it. The current  
> hardbound
> version seems to be retitled as Computers & Typesetting, Volume A: The
> TeXbook (Computers & Typesetting Series) (Hardcover) and costs a  
> little
> more. I'm guessing it contains essentially the same material as the
> original.
>

• Follow-Ups:
  • Re: Re: Re: Which editor do you use for math
    • From: Murray Eisenberg <murray@math.umass.edu>

• References:
  • Re: Which editor do you use for math
    • From: AES <siegman@stanford.edu>