weinhous@dinorah.wustl.edu (Martin S. Weinhous) (07/31/89)
Recently I posted a query to the net asking whether anyone knew of a
bidirectional word <-> TeX translator. This document is a summary of
the results (sent directly to responders and posted to comp.sys.mac).
THANKS TO ALL WHO TOOK THE TIME TO RESPOND!
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The only positive responses follow ...
: I believe that there is a rudamentary utility for doing Word-->TeX
: translation that ships with MacTeX from FTL systems. I have tried a
: (possibly old) version of this and is sort-of works. It is unlikely that
: it will work with new Word features, and of course, does not create a
: properly structured TeX document, but at least it gives you something to
: start with.
: Walter C3arlip c3ar@zaphod.uchicago.edu
: (the "3" is silent) c3ar%zaphod@UCHIMVS1.bitnet
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: the only solution i know of is to save word file in 1.05 format and convert it
: to tex in MACTEX.
: JGiergiel GGIERGIEL@VMSA.CF.UCI.EDU
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Several semi-positive responses were received as follows ...
: Marty, Some time ago someone at Microsoft sent me a note
: in response to one I'd posted similar to yours. Basically,
: it said that nobody had done MSWord -> TeX conversion but
: that anyone could sign a non-disclosure agreement with MS
: and MS would send them the complete RTF (Rich Text Format)
: format that could then be used to map MSWord -> TeX. ...
: Stephen M. Robinson, AI Group, School of Information and Computer Science
: Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta Georgia, 30332-0280 404-894-8932
: uucp: ...!{allegra,amd,hplabs,uiucdcs,ut-ngp}!gatech!prism!robinson
: Internet: robinson@prism.gatech.edu
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Many others suggested that they might consider selling their homes to
get such a translator :-).
: I would be very very interested in this as well. If you hear of anything
: please let me know.
: dave tilley tilley@cs.rochester.edu
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: I too would be interested in such a Word<--->TEX translation capability.
: Alan raday@thunder.lakeheadu.ca
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: I work in a pretty anarchistic organization that allows document
: preparation both on Macs (Word), and on Suns (Latex). Often, two groups
: need to exchange information, and the process is, to put it mildly, painful.
: We would kill for such a translator. I'd be mighty interested in whatever
: you get. From our experience, though, what is out there handles very few
: constructs of either language, and if your users are experienced, they feel
: handcuffed by the restrictions.
: Harry A. Funk Voice: (612)-782-7396
: Honeywell Systems and Research Center Inet: funk@src.honeywell.com
: 3660 Technology Dr. MS:MN65-2500 UUCP: funk@srcsip
: Minneapolis, MN 55418 Bang: {umn-cs,ems,mmm}!srcsip!funk
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: I am also interested in thisPlease let me know what you find out.
: Jeff Currier currier@prandtl.nas.nasa.gov
: University of Arizona jeffc@neptune.ame.arizona.edu
: Tucson, Az 85721
: 602-621-4948
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: Since I read this newsgroup only sometimes, and I am interested in the subject
: you wrote very much, Could you please also send me the summary when you post?
: Katsu Suzuki ksuzuki@caen.engin.umich.edu
: Department of Aerospace Engineering ksuzuki@dip.eecs.umich.edu
: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
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: I would also be interested in anything you learn about Word(3.02)<->TeX
: Quabid Safi '91 qrs@eleazar.dartmouth.edu
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: I am very interested in any response you'll get.
: Wouter Jansweijer Phone: (31)-20-525.2152 (.... 525.2073)
: jansweij@swivax.UUCP {seismo,decvax,philabs}!mcvax!swivax!jansweij
: Department of Social Science Informatics, University of Amsterdam,
: Herengracht 196, NL-1016 BS Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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There was also a negative response ...
: I enquired about this a couple of months ago. The net result? Forget it, or
: at least one or two people are thinking of getting around to writing a
: translator, but don't hold your breath!
: I've had a quick look at Microsoft's Rich Text Format (RTF) and a proper
: translation does not appear to be a trivial task.
: From: Ben Lian <uunet!munnari!tasis.utas.oz.au!ben>
: Organization: Elec Eng & Comp Sci, Uni of Tasmania, Australia
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It would appear that there is presently no good solution. Could it possibly
be in Microsoft's interest to write the translator? They might make more
sales if Word easily interfaced with TeX AND WITH THE LARGE NUMBER OF FOLKS
USING TeX (LaTeX). Microsoft -- are you listening ?
Marty Weinhous
<weinhous@castor.wustl.edu>
Standard Disclaimers ...