Text processing with LATEX offers several advantages over word processing. However, it is often hard for beginners to figure out how to perform common tasks and obtain certain features. This manual attempts to ease the transition by drawing comparisons between word processing and LATEX typesetting. The main word processor capabilities are listed, along with their equivalent LATEX commands. Lots of examples are provided.
First of all, let me state that this is not a LATEX primer! If you’re reading this, I assume that you have at least a smattering of LATEX and its basic commands. In this document, I’ll explain why LATEX is a viable alternative to word processors. One may even think that LATEX is better than any word processor. . . and this is definitely true, especially if you write complex documents with lots of maths.
Nevertheless, word processors are the ‘killer app’ in modern office automation. They’re perceived to be easier than LATEX as they have a friendly WYSIWYG interface, and the average secretary will learn to use them in a relatively short time. The problem is, these beasts keep growing slow, bloated1, buggy, expensive, virus ridden, and incompatible with each other.
LATEX might be a good alternative. It actually is, but if you try to write casual, unstructured documents, LATEX will rightly stand in the way. You could resort to plain TEX, but you would lose many facilities that LATEX provides.
First of all, let me state that this is not a LATEX primer! If you’re reading this, I assume that you have at least a smattering of LATEX and its basic commands. In this document, I’ll explain why LATEX is a viable alternative to word processors. One may even think that LATEX is better than any word processor. . . and this is definitely true, especially if you write complex documents with lots of maths.
Nevertheless, word processors are the ‘killer app’ in modern office automation. They’re perceived to be easier than LATEX as they have a friendly WYSIWYG interface, and the average secretary will learn to use them in a relatively short time. The problem is, these beasts keep growing slow, bloated1, buggy, expensive, virus ridden, and incompatible with each other.
LATEX might be a good alternative. It actually is, but if you try to write casual, unstructured documents, LATEX will rightly stand in the way. You could resort to plain TEX, but you would lose many facilities that LATEX provides.
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