KNAPPEN@VKPMZD.Physik.Uni-Mainz.DE (12/23/90)
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\begin{document}
\title{Frequently Asked Questions about \TeX{}, etc., with Answers}
\author{Bobby Bodenheimer}
\date{}
\maketitle
\begin{verbatim}
|=============================================================================|
| Bobby Bodenheimer @hot.caltech.edu |
| // BITNET: bobby@caltech.bitnet | |
| // ARPA : bobby@csvax.caltech.edu | Woof! |
| // UUCP : {amdahl,ames!elroy}!cit-vax!bobby | |
|=============================================================================|
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This article contains answers to some frequently asked questions on
{\tt comp.text.tex}. Please don't ask these questions again, as they've been
answered many times before.
This article includes answers to:
\begin{enumerate}
\item Where can I get a DVI to PostScript conversion program?
\item How can I include a PostScript figure in \LaTeX{}?
\item Where can I find a DVI previewer for machine Y running Q?
\item Where can I get the manual for PiCTeX?
\item What is VorTeX and where can I get it?
\item What is OzTeX and where can I get it?
\item What is Fig and where can I get it?
\item How do I get WEB for C or FORTRAN?
\item How can I typeset music in \TeX{}?
\item What is TUG and TUGboat?
\item How do I convert Adobe's afm files to tfm format?
\item In \LaTeX{}, how do I get a double-spaced document?
\item In \LaTeX{}, how do I include a file in the verbatim environment?
\item In \LaTeX{}, how do I do Y?
\item Where can I find a \LaTeX{} style file for doing Y?
\item How do I generate an index in \TeX{}/\LaTeX{}?
\item Where do I get METAFONT to do what I want it to do?
\item Where do I get \TeX{}/\LaTeX{} for machine Y running Q?
\item What is the Clarkson archive server?
\item Where can I get a thesis style for \LaTeX{}?
\item How do I get symbols for ``the real numbers", ``the complex numbers",
and so on?
\item How do I get \TeX{} material if I do not have access to anonymous
ftp?
\end{enumerate}
These are all legitimate questions, but they seem to appear too frequently
for long-time readers of the list.
Many of the answers below tell you that you can obtain something
through anonymous ftp. Remember that anonymous ftp is a privilege
and that the system administrators for these sites have made these
files available out of their own generosity. Therefore please restrict
your ftp'ing to non-prime hours at the various sites.
I would like to acknowledge Don Hosek, Ken Yap, Tomas Rokicki, and
Micah Beck, whose postings provided many of the answers. Joe Weening,
Hal Perkins, Walter Carlip, Max Hailpern, Tad Guy, Raymond Chen, Henning
Schulzrinne, and Sebastian Rahtz provided additional material and criticisms.
The format of this document is based on that of the Frequently Asked
Questions appearing in {\tt comp.unix.wizards}, and written by Steve Hayman.
Any mistakes are mine. Corrections, suggestions, and additions to
{\tt bobby@hot.caltech.edu}.
This is version 1.5, last changed 6/7/90.
\section{ Where can I get a DVI to PostScript conversion program?}
Three very nice DVI to PostScript conversion programs that run
under Unix are:
\begin{description}
\item[ dvitps] - part of the \TeX{}PS package by Stephan Bectolsheim.
Available via anonymous ftp from {\tt arthur.cs.pur\-due.edu}
(128.10.2.1) in {\tt ./pub/TeXPS}.
\item[ dvi3ps] - by Kevin Coombes. Available via anonymous ftp
from {\tt tut.cis.ohio-state.edu} (128.146.8.60) in
{\tt ./pub/dvi3ps.tar.Z }
\item[ dvips] - by Tomas Rokicki. This driver (in version 5.0 and later)
has the ability to deal with the virtual fonts of \TeX{} 3.0.
Version 4.21 is for versions of \TeX{} before 3.0 (or 2.995).
Available via anonymous ftp from {\tt labrea.stanford.edu}
(36.8.0.47) in {\tt ./pub}.
\end{description}
\section{How can I include a PostScript figure in \LaTeX{}?}
Perhaps the best way to do this is to use the psfig macros written
by Trevor Darrell. They are available via anonymous ftp from
{\tt whitechapel.media.mit.edu} (18.85.0.124) in {\tt ./psfig} or
{\tt linc.cis.upenn.edu} (130.91.6.8) in the directory {\tt ./dist/psfig}. Yo
will also need a dvi to PostScript conversion program that supports
the macros. The ones mentioned in question 1 do. The psfig macros
work best with Encapsulated PostScript Files (EPS). In particular, psfig
will need the file to have a BoundingBox (see Appendix C of the
\_PostScript Language Reference Manual\_). If you don't have an EPS
file, life can be difficult.
\section{ Where can I find a DVI previewer for machine Y running Q?}
This briefly lists some previewers which are available via anonymous
ftp:
\begin{description}
\item[ dvipage] - For SunView. Available via anonymous ftp from
{\tt june.cs.washington.edu} (128.95.1.4) in {\tt ./tex/dvi\-pages.tar.Z
\item[ xtex] - For X Windows. Available via anonymous ftp from
{\tt expo.lcs.mit.edu} (18.30.0.212) in {\tt ./contrib/See\-TeX-2.15.tar
\item[ dviapollo]- for Apollo Domain. Available via anonymous ftp from
{\tt june.cs.washington.edu} in {\tt ./tex/dvi\-apol\-lo.tar.Z}.
\item[ dviis] - For Integrated Systems. Available via anonymous ftp from
{\tt june.cs.washington.edu} in {\tt ./tex/dvi\-is.tar.Z}.
\item[ dvidis] - For VAXstation VWS. Available via anonymous ftp from
{\tt venus.ycc.yale.edu} (130.132.1.5) in {\tt [.dvidis]} (VMS machine).
xdvi - Also for X Windows. Available via anonymous ftp from
{\tt expo.lcs.mit.edu} in {\tt ./contrib/xdvi.shar.Z} and
{\tt ./contrib/xdvi.patch7.Z}
\end{description}
\section{ Where can I get the manual for PiCTeX?}
The PiCTeX manual is not free. It is available for \$35 from the
\TeX{} Users Group:
\begin{center}
\TeX{} Users Group\\
P. O. Box 9506\\
Providence, RI 02940 (USA)\\
401-751-7760\\
{\tt tug@math.ams.com}
\end{center}
The proceeds from this sale go to Michael Wichura, the author of PiCTeX,
and TUG.
\section{What is VorTeX and where can I get it?}
VorTeX is a package of programs written at the University of California.
It includes several nice previewers and some Emacs modes for \TeX{} and
BibTeX. It is not free. Inquiries should be directed to
{\tt vortex@ucbarpa.berkely.edu} or
\begin{center}
Professor Michael A. Harrison\\
Att. Vortex Dist.\\
Computer Science Division\\
University of California\\
Berkeley, CA 94720
\end{center}
\section{What is OzTeX and where can I get it?}
OzTeX is a public domain version of \TeX{} for the Macintosh. It was
written by Andrew Trevorrow, and is available via anonymous ftp from
{\tt watmsg.waterloo.edu} (129.97.129.9) in {\tt ./pub/oztex}. The most recen
version is 1.2. It is also available from {\tt tank.uchicago.edu}
(128.135.136.2) in {\tt ./pub/sources/OzTeX}, which contains other public
domain \TeX{}-related software for the Mac as well. Questions about OzTeX
may be directed to {\tt oztex@tank.uchicago.edu}.
\section{ What is Fig and where can I get it?}
Fig is a menu driven tool similar to MacDraw that allows you to
draw objects on the screen of a Sun Workstation running SunView.
TransFig is a set of tools which translate the code fig produces
to other graphics languages including PostScript and the \LaTeX{}
picture environment. Both are available via anonymous ftp from
{\tt svax.cs.cornell.edu} (128.84.254.2) in {\tt ./pub/fig}. Both Fig and
TransFig are also available from the Clarkson archive server at
sun.soe.clarkson.ede (see question 19). Both Fig and TransFig
are supported by Micah Beck.
XFig is essentially the same program except that it runs under
X Windows. It is available via anonymous ftp from {\tt expo.lcs.mit.edu}
(18.30.0.22) in {\tt ./contrib/xfig-2.0.*.Z}. Note that version 2.0 is
the most recent. It was written by Brian Smith.
For complete compatibility with TransFig, be sure to get at least
patchlevel 4 of XFig 2.0.
\section{How do I get WEB for C or FORTRAN?}
There is a version of WEB for C called CWEB written by Silvio Levy. It
is available via anonymous ftp from {\tt princeton.edu} (128.112.128.1) in
the directory {\tt ./pub/cweb}.
There is a version of WEB called Spidery WEB which supports many languages
including ADA, awk, and C. It was written by Norman Ramsey and, while
not in the public domain, is usable free for research purposes. It is
available via anonymous ftp from {\tt princeton.edu} in {\tt ./pub/spiderweb.
There is a versions of WEB call FWEB for Fortran, Ratfor, and C written
by John Krommes. It is available via anonymous ftp from {\tt ccc.nmfecc.gov}
(128.55.128.30) in the directory {\tt TeX\$root:[distr.fweb]} (note that this
is a VMS machine).
\section{ How can I typeset music in \TeX{}?}
A package called MuTeX, written by Andrea Steinbach and Angelika Schofer,
aids in doing this. It is available via anonymous ftp from
sol.cs.ruu.nl (131.211.80.5) in pub/TEX/mtex.tar.Z
\section{ What is TUG and TUGboat?}
TUG is the \TeX{} User's Group. TUGboat is their newsletter, which
publishes useful articles about \TeX{} and METAFONT. Inquiries should
be directed to:
\begin{center}
\TeX{} Users Group\\
P. O. Box 9506\\
Providence, RI 02940 (USA)\\
401-751-7760\\
{\tt tug@math.ams.com}
\end{center}
\section{How do I convert Adobe's afm files to tfm format?}
Use the afm2tfm program distributed with dvips, available via anonymous
ftp from {\tt labrea.stanford.edu} (36.8.0.47) in {\tt ./pub}. If you are us
pre-VF version of \TeX{}, get dvips4.21; if you are using a version of
\TeX{} that understands virtual fonts, get dvips5.02 (or later).
\section{In \LaTeX{}, how do I get a double-spaced document?}
One way is to change the value of \baselinestretch to 2 or 1.5 with
the command \renewcommand{\baselinestretch}{2}. A better way is to
the doublespace style file doublespace.sty in {\tt ./pub/LaTeX-style} from
{\tt sun.soe.clarkson.edu} (see question 19).
\section{ In \LaTeX{}, how do I include a file in the verbatim environment?}
A good way to do this is to use the alltt environment defined in
the style file alltt.sty available in {\tt ./pub/LaTeX-style} from
{\tt sun.soe.clarkson.edu} (see question 19).
\section{ In \LaTeX{}, how do I do Y?}
If you can't figure out how to do something in \LaTeX{} after you
have read the manual very carefully, asked your local \LaTeX{}
guru, and thought about it, there is a \LaTeX{} help service
available (more information is periodically posted about this
by Don Hosek). Please note that the way to accomplish something
in \LaTeX{} is often by using an appropriate style file, so please
check this also (see question 15). If none of this works, send mail
describing your problem to {\tt LaTeX-help@sumex-aim.stanford.edu}.
\section{ Where can I find a \LaTeX{} style file for doing Y?}
Before you ask for a \LaTeX{} style file to do something, please check
the \LaTeX{} style collection at {\tt sun.soe.clarkson.edu}, either through
the archive server or via anonymous ftp (see question 19).
\section{How do I generate an index in \TeX{}/\LaTeX{}?}
Making an index is not trivial. There are several indexing programs
which aid in doing this. Some are:
makeindex - for \LaTeX{} under Unix. Available via anonymous ftp
from {\tt ymir.claremont.edu} (134.173.4.23, VMS) in the directory
{\tt [.tex.utilities.makeindex]}
idxtex - for \LaTeX{} under VMS. Available via anonymous ftp from
{\tt ymir.claremont.edu} in the directory {\tt [.tex.uti\-li\-ties.idx\
\TeX{}ix - for \TeX{} on CMS and MacIntosh machines. Available via
anonymous ftp from {\tt ymir.claremont.edu} in the directory
{\tt [.tex.utilities.texix]}.
\section{ How do I get METAFONT to do what I want it to do?}
METAFONT allows you to create your own fonts, and ordinary \TeX{} users
will never need to use it. METAFONT, unlike \TeX{}, requires some
customization. Each output device for which you will be generating
fonts needs a mode associated with it. Modes are defined using the
mode\_def convention described on page 94 of \_The METAFONTbook\_. So
first create a file, which we will call local.mf, containing all the
mode\_defs you will be using. The file waits.mf (in the standard
distribution or available via anonymous ftp from {\tt labrea.stanford.edu}
(36.8.0.47) in {\tt ./lib}) is a good starting point for this. Listings of
settings for various output devices are also published periodically in
TUGboat (see question 10). Now create a plain base file using inimf,
plain.mf, and local.mf:
\begin{verbatim}
% inimf
This is METAFONT....
**plain # you type plain
(output)
*input local # you type this
(output)
*dump # you type this
Beginning to dump on file plain....
(output)
%
\end{verbatim}
This should create a base file named plain.base (or something close)
and should be moved to the directory which contains the base files on
your system.
Now we need to make sure that METAFONT loads this base when it starts
up. If METAFONT loads the plain base by default on your system, then
you're ready to go. Under Unix, we might, for instance define a
command mf which executes ``virmf \&plain," loading the plain base
file.
The usual way to create a font with plain METAFONT is to then start it
with the line
\begin{verbatim}
\mode=<mode name>; mag=<magnification>; input <font file name>
\end{verbatim}
in response to the * prompt or on the METAFONT command line. If
$<$mode name$>$ is unknown or omitted, then the mode defaults to proof
mode. If this has happened METAFONT will produce an output file
called $<$font file name$>$.2602gf. The $<$magnification$>$ is a floating
point number or magstep (magsteps are defined in \_The METAFONTbook\_
and \_The \TeX{}book\_). If mag=$<$magnification$>$ is omitted, then the
default is 1. For example, to generate cmr10 at 12pt for an epson
printer you would type
\begin{verbatim}
mf \mode=epson; mag=1.2; input cmr10
\end{verbatim}
Note that under Unix the '\' and ';' characters must usually be escaped,
so that this would typically look something like
\begin{verbatim}
mf \\mode=epson\; mag=1.2\; input cmr10
\end{verbatim}
If you don't have inimf or need a special mode that isn't in the
base, you can put its commands in a file (e.g., ln03.mf) and invoke
it on the fly with the \verb+\smode+ command. For example, to create
ln03.300gf for an LN03 printer, using the file
\begin{verbatim}
% This is ln03.mf as of 2/27/90
% mode_def courtesy of John Sauter
proofing:=0;
fontmaking:=1;
tracingtitles:=0;
pixels_per_inch:=300;
blacker:=0.65;
fillin:=-0.1;
o_correction:=.5;
\end{verbatim}
(note the absence of the mode\_def and enddef commands), we would type
\begin{verbatim}
mf \smode="ln03"; input cmr10
\end{verbatim}
\section{ Where do I get \TeX{}/\LaTeX{} for machine Y running Q?}
Unix - The Unix \TeX{} distribution is available for anonymous
ftp from {\tt labrea.stanford.edu} (36.8.0.47) in the directory
{\tt ./tex/unix}. It is large, so please be sure to observe proper
ftp etiquette when getting it. It is also available through
the University of Washington. Contact:
\begin{center}
Director\\
Northwest Computer Support Group\\
University of Washington\\
Mail Stop DW-10\\
Seattle, WA 98195 (USA)\\
(206)543-6259
\end{center}
PC - A \TeX{} package for the PC, including \LaTeX{}, BibTeX, previewers,
and drivers is available via anonymous ftp from
{\tt eedsp.gatech.edu} (128.61.2.1) in {\tt ./pub/TeX}. The variety here
version 30 by Wayne Sullivan. EmTeX, another \TeX{} package for the PC
by Eberhard Mattes, is available via anonymous ftp from
{\tt terminator.cc.umich.edu} (35.1.33.8) in {\tt ./msdos/text-mgmt/TeX/e
and from rusmv1.rus.uni-stuttgart.de (129.69.1.12) (user:ftp,
password: guest) in {\tt ./soft/tex/emtex}. This package includes \LaTeX{
METAFONT, BibTex, etc., as well. All the documentation for emtex
is in German. \TeX{} for the PC is also available through
\begin{center}
Jon Radel\\
P. O. Box 2276\\
Reston, VA 22090
\end{center}
Send a self-addressed stamped envelope to obtain information
on what's available.
Mac - see question 6 for a public domain version.
TOPS-20 - \TeX{} was originally written on a DEC-10 under WAITS, and so
was easily ported to TOPS-20. A Distribution that runs on TOPS-20
is available via anonymous ftp from {\tt science.utah.edu} (128.110.192.
in aps:$<$tex$>$ (this is a TOPS-20 machine).
VAX/VMS - VMS executables are available via anonymous ftp from
{\tt ymir.claremont.edu} (134.173.4.23) in {\tt [.tex.exe]}. Source is
available in {\tt [.tex.sources]}. Version 3.0 is available in
{\tt [.tex.sources.tex3\_0]}. Ymir has a mailserver for those without
ftp access. Send a message containing the line ``help" to
{\tt mailserv@ymir.claremont.edu}.
Atari - \TeX{} is available for the Atari ST from {\tt dsrgsun.ces.cwru.edu}
(129.22.16.2) in {\tt ./pub/atari/StTeX}.
Amiga - Disk 1 of the Amiga CommonTeX distribution is available
via anonymous ftp from {\tt xanth.cs.odu.edu} (128.82.8.1)
in {\tt ./pub/commontex.zoo}. This file is in zoo format so you may
need to get zoo to uncompress it: The Unix zoo distribution is
in {\tt ./pub/zoo-2.01}; the Amiga version is available as
{\tt ./amiga/zoo-2.00.arc}. The file copying.tex in the distribution
contains information on how to obtain the other disks.
\section{What is the Clarkson archive server?}
The Clarkson archive server is a program that allows you to
retrieve files via electronic mail. So it provides a way of
getting many neat things if you don't have anonymous ftp. To
get the archive server to do something you should send a message
to {\tt archive-server@sun.soe.clarkson.edu} (128.153.12.3). To get
started using it, send the archive server a one line message
``help" (case is unimportant). It will send you back a file
describing how to use it more fully.
In particular, the Clarkson archive contains, among other things,
a repository for \LaTeX{} style files, AMSTeX macros and style
files, BiBTeX style files, PiCTeX source (not the manual, see
question 4), back issues of \TeX{}hax and \TeX{}MaG, files from
TUGboat, and source to \TeX{}, \LaTeX{}, WEB, and various utilities.
The archive is maintained by Michael DeCorte.
If anonymous ftp is available to you, you may get the files directly
from {\tt sun.soe.clarkson.edu}.
If you have problems, contact {\tt archive-management@sun.soe.clarkson.edu}.
\section{ Where can I get a thesis style for \LaTeX{}?}
Thesis styles are usually very specific to your University, so it's
usually not profitable to ask the whole newsgroup for one. If you
want to write your own, a good place to start is the ucthesis style
available in the \LaTeX{} style collection at {\tt sun.soe.clarkson.edu}
(see question 19).
\section{How do I get symbols for ``the real numbers", ``the complex numbers",
and so on?}
These symbols are known as ``blackboard bold" and are available in
the font ``msym" (e.g., ``msym10" for 10pt). There is a companion font
``msxm" as well. The fonts have a large number of mathematical symbols
to supplement the ones provided by \TeX{}. A complete list of the symbols
can be found in the November 1985 issue of TUGboat (see question 10).
The fonts are available from the American Mathematical Society; also
TFM and PK files for the standard scalings are available from the Clarkson
archive server at sun.soe.clarkson in {\tt ./pub/tfm} and {\tt ./pub/canon30
question 19). GF, PXL, and MF files are available via anonymous ftp from
{\tt labrea.stanford.edu} (36.8.0.47) in the directory {\tt ./tex/amsfonts}.
Unfortunately, the .mf files were all written in the old METAFONT79
language, and so will not run under the new METAFONT. The file
mssymb.tex in the same directory loads the fonts for \TeX{} users
(Blackboard bold is the font \verb+\Bbb+). \LaTeX{} users can access them us
the amssymbols.sty style file available from the archive server.
\section{How do I get \TeX{} material if I do not have access to anonymous ftp?}
There are several mail servers available, i.e., programs that will
send you files via electronic mail. Some are:
- The mail server at Clarkson (see question 19), if you can send
mail to the United States.
- Also in the US, the mail server at {\tt ymir.claremont.edu} has access
to all the \TeX{}-related material there. Send a message containing
the line ``help" to {\tt MAILSERV@ymir.claremont.edu}.
- In the United Kingdom, you can get \TeX{}-related material from the
UK \TeX{} archive at the University of Aston. (FTP access is also
available:
\begin{verbatim}
Site uk.ac.aston.tex
Username public
Password public
Top Level \TeX{}-archive
\end{verbatim}
A known file is {\tt [tex-archive]000directory.list}.) For electronic
mail access, send a message to {\tt TeXserver@uk.ac.as\-ton.tex}. The
message must contain the following three lines starting in column 1
(and omitting the ===$>$ part):
\begin{verbatim}
===> ---
===> (your address from Aston - see below)
===> help
\end{verbatim}
The server ignores anything preceding the line which commences with
the three hyphens, such as mail headers. It also ignores the remainder
of the line with the hyphens on it. For Internet users the return
address is of the form {\tt name\%site@nsfnet-relay}, while for Bitnet a
EARN it is {\tt name\%site@earn-relay}.
- There are LISTSERV facilities for \TeX{} on {\tt LISTSERV@TAMVM1.BITNET}
{\tt LISTSERV@DHDURZ1.BITNET}. Send a message containing the line ``help
one of these addresses.
There is also the DECUS \TeX{} collection, a collection of \TeX{} material f
VMS, Unix, MS-DOS, and the Macintosh. It can be obtained from the DECUS
Library (reference number VS0058) in the US, or through your DECUS office
outside of the US. To contact the DECUS Library, send mail or call:
\begin{center}
The DECUS Program Library\\
219 Boston Post Road BP02\\
Marlboro, MA 01752-1850\\
(508)480-3418
\end{center}
or send electronic mail to the DECUS \TeX{} Collection Editor, Ted Nieland,
at {\tt decus\_tex@nieland.dayton.oh.us}.
\end{document}