From: carlip@oucsace.cs.ohiou.edu (Walter C3arlip)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.apps
Subject: Re: LaTeX for the Mac
Date: 6 Oct 92 18:32:57 GMT
Organization: Ohio University Mathematics

In article <1992Oct6.100852.5971@coli.uni-sb.de> espen@coli.uni-sb.de
(Espen J. Vestre) writes: 
>Walter C3arlip, carlip@oucsace.cs.ohiou.edu writes:
 . . .
>>Probably the most notable features that I know are in Textures but not in
>>OzTeX (I can't testify whether they are in DirectTeX) are:
>>   (1) the large memory model -- useful if you define lots and lots of
>>       symbols or use several large macro packages at once;

>You can configure the size of OzTeX.

This is certainly true, but there is an upper limit of 65,535, while
Textures' upper limit is 536,870,911 -- considerably larger.  While 65,535
is big enough for most uses, it is not enough for some very large macro
packages or for large projects with many cross references, labels, macros, etc.

>>   (2) the incorporation of postscript fonts (blue sky sells a very nice
>>       postscript version of the cm fonts)

>OzTeX has TFM-files for the standard postscript fonts.  And OzTeX uses
>the standard PK-files for fonts.  The font used by TeXtures for the
>(standard) LaTeX section headings is just _terrible_, looks almost like
>printed on an Imagewriter...  (this is not a problem if you have the
>Postscript cm fonts of course).

Hmm, I wonder about this.  I believe that the fonts used by Textures are
the *same* pk files that OzTeX uses, they are just packaged in a different
manner.  

>>a commercial product has a professional staff for support.  (I've heard
>>nothing but good reports about Blue Sky's support for their product.)

>I started using TeXtures already with version 0.9.  At least in the
>beginning we were not at all satisfied with the support; we had to _pay_
>a lot for an upgrade which was essentially a bug-fix (and which didn't
>fix the memory bug!).  

Yes, I remember lots of problems with Version 0.9 of Textures (note: they
no longer capitalize the 'x' in the product name).  The current product is
much more mature, and I have heard nothing but rave reviews of their
technical support.  Rumour has it that they will soon have an internet
connection which will make them even more available for support.

I should point out, by the way, that I'm the archivist of the OzTeX archive
on midway.uchicago.edu, and provide what support I can for OzTeX, but
certainly cannot compete with Blue Sky's staff.  This also makes my opinion
somewhat biased -- I think OzTeX is great -- it is good enough to stand on
its own merits without exageration.  

>The most important feature that TeXtures has and which OzTeX lacks is the
>ability to run and print in background.
>
>btw, anyone know what the most recent version of OzTeX is?
>

The newest version of OzTeX is 1.42 (April, 1992).  I believe that Andrew
Trevorrow is working on providing background TeXing and a larger memory
model in the next release . . . whenever that may be.

--Walter
_____________________________________________________________________________
Walter Carlip				    **** carlip@ace.cs.ohiou.edu ****
(the "3" is invisible)			
_____________________________________________________________________________


-- 
_____________________________________________________________________________
Walter Carlip				    **** carlip@ace.cs.ohiou.edu ****
(the "3" is invisible)			
_____________________________________________________________________________
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