ghot@ms.uky.edu (Allan Adler) (06/23/91)
I am trying to set up a PC based system for running TeX and possibly METAFONT
as well. I would like to use public domain software to minimize costs.
I have not purchased the PC and trying to figure out innumerable details
of what is possible and desirable between the hardware and software environment
is causing me considerable confusion. Here are some of the questions I
am having trouble with.
LASER PRINTER
=============
(1) Do I need a laser printer to produce satisfactory manuscripts typeset wiwth
TeX or can I manage with an ink jet or bubble jet printer ?
(2) Are there ink jet or bubble jet printers that understand PostScript ?
(3) Where can I find public domain drivers (dvi --> printer) for the
aforementioned printers ? The printer is useless without this.
OPERATING SYSTEM
================
(4) If I decided that I wanted to have UNIX as the operating system on the
PC, which combination of version (i.e. brand) of UNIX and version of TeX
would I need to run TeX in the UNIX environment ? Could I get that version
of TeX (and METAFONT) for free ?
HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS
=====================
(5) What hardware configuration would I require to run TeX and METAFONT ?
Here I might either be running under UNIX or under MSDOS. What CPU,
hard disk size and memory are recommended ?
(6) SUN used to manufacture a 386 based workstation but has not sold it for
2 years. Is it possible to obtain them used and if so where and at what
price ? These might represent the appropriate compromise between my
desire to have a good UNIX system and my desire to be able to run MSDOS
programs and would very likely be compatibe with what I want to do with
TeX and METAFONT. On the other hand, SUN no longer sells them and it
might therefore be hard to get help with the system when I need it.
Allan Adler
ghot@ms.uky.edujwi@cbnewsj.cb.att.com (Jim Winer @ AT&T, Middletown, NJ) (06/28/91)
Allan Adler writes: > I am trying to set up a PC based system for running TeX and possibly METAFONT > as well. I would like to use public domain software to minimize costs. > I have not purchased the PC and trying to figure out innumerable details > of what is possible and desirable between the hardware and software environment > is causing me considerable confusion. Here are some of the questions I > am having trouble with. I am also trying to set up a PC for running TeX. The system will be used by a commercial technical writing company to bid on a contract that requires that the work be done in Tex. I am familiar with UNIX/dwb (troff), Interleaf, WordPerfect 5.1, Ventura, etc., but have never run into TeX before. I understand that TeX is a formatter/typesetter but don't know any details. I would appreciate any information about commercial sources of TeX software, reference books, training programs, etc. Hardware will be purchased for this use and will include: 386/33 or 40 with 8 or more MB RAM, large Hard drive (If a coprocessor or 486 would be useful, I would appreciate knowing this.) Postscript laser printer, most likely HPLJ III with cartridge or LaserMaster 1000. Commercial software is okay -- need sources. Prefer to run under MS-DOS 5.0 rather than UNIX. Thanks in advance for any help you might provide. Jim Winer -- jwi@mtfme.att.com -- Opinions not represent employer. EMAIL ADDRESS IN HEADER IS NOT VALID -- use jwi@mtfme.att.com ------------------------------------------------------------------ "No, no: the purpose of language is to cast spells on other people ..." Lisa S Chabot