dak@hparc0.HP.COM (Dave Kruger) (04/29/91)
G'day,
TUGboat recently (Vol. 11, No. 4?) included an article on Easy Table, a new set
of TeX macros that allows you to construct incredibly complex tables with
apparent ease. These macros were written by Khanh Ha.
I am considering buying the package, but am demurring about the US$150 outlay
without more information. I rang the author, but I had a communication
problem---perhaps it was my Australian accent, or perhaps I just couldn't
understand his Asian (?) accent. After spelling everything out in terms I
thought he would understand (B for Baltimore, E for Echo, N for North Dakota,
and so on) the order form came addressed to ``Dive'' Kruger :-).
Anyhow, I have the following questions (any help appreciated):
Has anyone out there had experience with Easy Table?
(1) *Is* it easy to use?
(2) Does it coexist with LaTeX?
(3) Does it coexist with PiCTeX? (How about LaTeX *and* PiCTeX?)
(4) Does it take up much of TeX's memory? (By this, I mean, if your
document uses many tables, does TeX die with the dreaded ``TeX Capacity
Exceeded'' message?)
(5) Is the 118-page manual well written (That is, will my communication
problem exist in hard-copy?)
(6) How does it compare with other table-making macros like INSRTeX?
(7) Is it worth US$150 (IYHO)?
Personally, I prefer answers here in the group so everyone can benefit.
However, if this is abhorrent to you, you can reply by email and I will
summarise in a week or so.
Cheers,
Dave K.