Using packages (was: Re: [OS X TeX] is i-Installer cool?)

[Michael S. Hanson]

On May 4, 2004, at 8:45 AM, Alain Schremmer wrote:

> What do I do with the files? They are not on the i-Installer's list of  
> i-packages!
>
> or
>
> You should never try to help an install-indiot.

	Disregarding your own advice, see if this information helps:

	First, booktabs appears to be part of the standard gwTeX installation,  
so you do not need to install an additional i-Package.  In fact, you  
will find that Gerben has done a nice job of incorporating a large  
number of LaTeX packages (which are *not* the same as i-Packages) into  
the base install.

	Second, I presume you now have enough experience with LaTeX to know  
what the "preamble" of a document is.  (If you are unclear, refer to  
one of the links under "Writing documents with LaTeX" in the reply I  
just sent to the list on the subject: "TeX is not for the faint of  
heart".)  In your preamble, add the line:

\usepackage{booktabs}

The references above also should clarify what LaTeX packages are and  
how to use them.  They are what add power and flexibility to LaTeX.

	Third, use the commands outlined in the booktabs documentation  
<http://www.tug.org/tex-archive/macros/latex/contrib/booktabs/ 
booktabs.pdf> to format your tables.


	By the way, I cannot recommend enough that you invest in a printed,  
off-line book on LaTeX.  There are many to choose from, and everyone on  
the list has a different favorite.  (Search the list archives for  
"LaTeX books" or the like.)  My personal favorite is "Guide to LaTeX"  
by Kopka & Daly (which just came out in a 4th edition), but it is  
solidly for intermediate (not beginning) users, IMHO.

                                         -- Mike


> Will Robertson wrote:
>
>>> The /real/ problem with rtf2latex2e is the tables
>>
>>
>> On a related note, the package booktabs is highly recommended for  
>> creating good looking (publication quality) tables. It takes only a  
>> minimum of conversion between regular old tables so don't worry, the  
>> extra work is negligible.
>>
>> The documentation should be included in your distribution somewhere,  
>> but it's also at  
>> <http://www.tug.org/tex-archive/macros/latex/contrib/booktabs/> in  
>> case you can't find it.

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