🚀 go-pugleaf

rcoadh@melomys.co.rmit.oz.AU (Alexander Doktorovich) writes:

>Hi,
>  Firstly, please note: I am using (Em)TeX to write my thesis, I need it
>   because I need alot of maths symbols/equations and because its free.
>  Secondly, I don't want to be flamed, just answered!
>  Thirdly, the comment: I believe the ASCII interface is outdated. It may have
>   been OK when computers were less powerful or when writing a simple 
>   program was a big deal, but now these problems have disappeared-so should
>   the ASCII interface, IMHO that is.
>  Fourthly, the question: considering that (La)TeX has been around for so
>   long and well troden upon, why hasn't the ASCII interface been replaced
>   by a more interactive and graphics based interface?
>Alex.
First thing: TeX is a typesetter suitable for maths, portable, free,
and academic. As such it is take it or leave it. It has the advantage
that it runs portably on a vast number of different systems without
changes in the user interface (icky how that may be), what cannot be
achieved today when using GUIs. Next, by nature, it is a compiling
language. It is capable of noninteractive optimization under the user's
(or the format creator's) control that is impressive. As you might have
noticed, although the user interface may seem archane, in mathematical
circles there is little widespread competition.

BTW, due to the language nature of TeX, you might as well complain about
the outdated ASCII interfaces of C.
What I mean is that the interface belongs in the hand of the UI designers,
not the compiler (and language) writer. And I still remember the
fascinated WYSIWYG user who proudly demonstrated how he could in a matter
of quarters of an hours generate formulas with fractions which almost
looked professionally. Using TeX, without further thinking, I produced
professional looking formulas (granted, I did not SEE them while doing
them) in mere minutes.

Even though TeX may not be optimal, in productivity for a slightly
experienced user it still remains to be beaten.