[OS X TeX] TeX and the wild wild world out there

[Gary L. Gray]

On Nov 29, 2006, at 10:54 AM, Themis Matsoukas wrote:

> On Nov 29, 2006, at 8:55 AM, Gary L. Gray wrote:
>
>> Microsoft could come out with the greatest system since the
>> invention of the printing press for making nice looking documents,
>> the problem is that 95% of people will still use it like a  
>> typewriter.
>
>
> We may call this a "problem", or we may call it "reality".


It is both. The "problem" is that it is just plain hard to read a  
document written with a modern tool that has been used like a  
typewriter (it would be easier to read a document actually written on  
a typewriter). In fact, I get theses written in LaTeX that look like  
they have been written in Word -- it actually takes some effort to do  
that! That effort could have gone into using LaTeX properly. :-)


> I have no illusions about convincing the Universe to switch to  
> latex. I just hope that latex does not cease to exist before I do.  
> Bruno's comment makes me wonder, however, whether this hope isn't  
> an illusion, too.


Well, I am going to keep "preaching the gospel of LaTeX" and hope for  
the best. I have taught a one credit course in LaTeX a couple of  
times in the past and I think it is something I need to teach  
regularly to continue to expose students to it (though that would  
require reducing my sleep from 5-6 hours a night to 3-4). :-)

On a related note, something else we can all do is contribute to TUG  
(money, time, or both).

All the best,
   Gary
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