[OS X TeX] More questions on MacTeX

[Justin C. Walker]

On Mar 9, 2008, at 16:55 , brian at pongonova.net wrote:

> On Sun, Mar 09, 2008 at 05:28:25PM -0500, Herbert Schulz wrote:
>>> For whatever reason, my local files had to be installed under
>>> ~/.texmf.  No one has really been able to provide a good explanation
>>> as to why, but if things don't work for you under ~/Library/texmf,  
>>> try
>>> ~/.texmf.
>>
>> Did you install TeX Live from the DVD or did you install MacTeX?
>
> Downloaded and installed from the website.
>
> I'm halfway through my disseration, so I'm very hesitant to change
> what works at this point :)  After I'm through, I shall reward myself
> with a much-deserved replacement for my aging iBook, and will make a
> fresh start with the latest/greatest MacTex release.
>
> Now that I'm looking at this again, I suspect that a previous
> (non-MacTeX) TeX install may have mucked up the works, despite my best
> efforts to eradicate it.  Funny that 'kpsepath fmt' doesn't even
> display ~/.texmf (and no, the dot isn't a typo...90% of my time is
> spent on the command line).

FWIW, typical Unixy usage is that "." files (other than "." and "..")  
are "hidden" and not intended for "normal" use.  I suspect from a  
quick check of ~/.texlive2007 on my system that it is a "cache" of  
sorts for use of some part of the TeX package.

I would not worry about that directory.  I suspect that you could  
remove it without serious harm (I have, and so far, my system hasn't  
blown up :-}).  At the same time, I would use ~/Library/texmf for your  
"personal" additions to the TeX system.

I'm happy to hear otherwise (except about the blowing up part).

Justin

--
Justin C. Walker, Curmudgeon-At-Large
Institute for the Absorption of Federal Funds
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Men are from Earth.
Women are from Earth.
    Deal with it.
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