bobby@hot.caltech.edu (Bobby Bodenheimer) (06/08/90)
This article contains answers to some frequently asked questions on
comp.text.tex. Please don't ask these questions again, as they've been
answered many times before.
This article includes answers to:
1) Where can I get a DVI to PostScript conversion program?
2) How can I include a PostScript figure in LaTeX?
3) Where can I find a DVI previewer for machine Y running Q?
4) Where can I get the manual for PiCTeX?
5) What is VorTeX and where can I get it?
6) What is OzTeX and where can I get it?
7) What is Fig and where can I get it?
8) How do I get WEB for C or FORTRAN?
9) How can I typeset music in TeX?
10) What is TUG and TUGboat?
11) How do I convert Adobe's afm files to tfm format?
12) In LaTeX, how do I get a double-spaced document?
13) In LaTeX, how do I include a file in the verbatim environment?
14) In LaTeX, how do I do Y?
15) Where can I find a LaTeX style file for doing Y?
16) How do I generate an index in TeX/LaTeX?
17) How do I get METAFONT to do what I want it to do?
18) Where do I get TeX/LaTeX for machine Y running Q?
19) What is the Clarkson archive server?
20) Where can I get a thesis style for LaTeX?
21) How do I get symbols for "the real numbers", "the complex numbers",
and so on?
22) How do I get TeX material if I do not have access to anonymous
ftp?
If you are looking for the answer to, for instance, question 17, and wish
to skip everything else, you can search ahead for the regular expression
"^17)"
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 comp.unix.wizards, and written by Steve Hayman.
Any mistakes are mine. Corrections, suggestions, and additions to
bobby@hot.caltech.edu.
This is version 1.5, last changed 6/7/90.
1) Where can I get a DVI to PostScript conversion program?
Three very nice DVI to PostScript conversion programs that run
under Unix are:
dvitps - part of the TeXPS package by Stephan Bectolsheim.
Available via anonymous ftp from arthur.cs.purdue.edu
(128.10.2.1) in ./pub/TeXPS.
dvi3ps - by Kevin Coombes. Available via anonymous ftp
from tut.cis.ohio-state.edu (128.146.8.60) in
./pub/dvi3ps.tar.Z
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 labrea.stanford.edu
(36.8.0.47) in ./pub.
2) 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
whitechapel.media.mit.edu (18.85.0.124) in ./psfig or
linc.cis.upenn.edu (130.91.6.8) in the directory ./dist/psfig. You
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.
3) Where can I find a DVI previewer for machine Y running Q?
This briefly lists some previewers which are available via anonymous
ftp:
dvipage - For SunView. Available via anonymous ftp from
june.cs.washington.edu (128.95.1.4) in ./tex/dvipages.tar.Z.
xtex - For X Windows. Available via anonymous ftp from
expo.lcs.mit.edu (18.30.0.212) in ./contrib/SeeTeX-2.15.tar.Z.
dviapollo- for Apollo Domain. Available via anonymous ftp from
june.cs.washington.edu in ./tex/dviapollo.tar.Z.
dviis - For Integrated Systems. Available via anonymous ftp from
june.cs.washington.edu in ./tex/dviis.tar.Z.
dvidis - For VAXstation VWS. Available via anonymous ftp from
venus.ycc.yale.edu (130.132.1.5) in [.dvidis] (VMS machine).
xdvi - Also for X Windows. Available via anonymous ftp from
expo.lcs.mit.edu in ./contrib/xdvi.shar.Z and
./contrib/xdvi.patch7.Z
4) Where can I get the manual for PiCTeX?
The PiCTeX manual is not free. It is available for $35 from the
TeX Users Group:
TeX Users Group
P. O. Box 9506
Providence, RI 02940 (USA)
401-751-7760
tug@math.ams.com
The proceeds from this sale go to Michael Wichura, the author of PiCTeX,
and TUG.
5) 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
vortex@ucbarpa.berkely.edu or
Professor Michael A. Harrison
Att. Vortex Dist.
Computer Science Division
University of California
Berkeley, CA 94720
6) 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
watmsg.waterloo.edu (129.97.129.9) in ./pub/oztex. The most recent
version is 1.2. It is also available from tank.uchicago.edu
(128.135.136.2) in ./pub/sources/OzTeX, which contains other public
domain TeX-related software for the Mac as well. Questions about OzTeX
may be directed to oztex@tank.uchicago.edu.
7) 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
svax.cs.cornell.edu (128.84.254.2) in ./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 expo.lcs.mit.edu
(18.30.0.22) in ./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.
8) 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 princeton.edu (128.112.128.1) in
the directory ./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 princeton.edu in ./pub/spiderweb.tar.Z.
There is a versions of WEB call FWEB for Fortran, Ratfor, and C written
by John Krommes. It is available via anonymous ftp from ccc.nmfecc.gov
(128.55.128.30) in the directory tex$root:[distr.fweb] (note that this
is a VMS machine).
9) 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
10) 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:
TeX Users Group
P. O. Box 9506
Providence, RI 02940 (USA)
401-751-7760
tug@math.ams.com
11) How do I convert Adobe's afm files to tfm format?
Use the afm2tfm program distributed with dvips, available via anonymous
ftp from labrea.stanford.edu (36.8.0.47) in ./pub. If you are using a
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).
12) 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 ./pub/latex-style from
sun.soe.clarkson.edu (see question 19).
13) 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 ./pub/latex-style from
sun.soe.clarkson.edu (see question 19).
14) 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 latex-help@sumex-aim.stanford.edu.
15) 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 sun.soe.clarkson.edu, either through
the archive server or via anonymous ftp (see question 19).
16) 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 ymir.claremont.edu (134.173.4.23, VMS) in the directory
[.tex.utilities.makeindex]
idxtex - for LaTeX under VMS. Available via anonymous ftp from
ymir.claremont.edu in the directory [.tex.utilities.idxtex].
texix - for TeX on CMS and MacIntosh machines. Available via
anonymous ftp from ymir.claremont.edu in the directory
[.tex.utilities.texix].
17) 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 labrea.stanford.edu
(36.8.0.47) in ./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:
% 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)
%
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
\mode=<mode name>; mag=<magnification>; input <font file name>
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 TeXbook_). If mag=<magnification> is omitted, then the
default is 1. For example, to generate cmr10 at 12pt for an epson
printer you would type
mf \mode=epson; mag=1.2; input cmr10
Note that under Unix the '\' and ';' characters must usually be escaped,
so that this would typically look something like
mf \\mode=epson\; mag=1.2\; input cmr10
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 \smode command. For example, to create
ln03.300gf for an LN03 printer, using the file
% 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;
(note the absence of the mode_def and enddef commands), we would type
mf \smode="ln03"; input cmr10
18) Where do I get TeX/LaTeX for machine Y running Q?
Unix - The Unix TeX distribution is available for anonymous
ftp from labrea.stanford.edu (36.8.0.47) in the directory
./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:
Director
Northwest Computer Support Group
University of Washington
Mail Stop DW-10
Seattle, WA 98195 (USA)
(206)543-6259
PC - A TeX package for the PC, including LaTeX, BibTeX, previewers,
and drivers is available via anonymous ftp from
eedsp.gatech.edu (128.61.2.1) in ./pub/TeX. The variety here is sbtex
version 30 by Wayne Sullivan. EmTeX, another TeX package for the PC
by Eberhard Mattes, is available via anonymous ftp from
terminator.cc.umich.edu (35.1.33.8) in ./msdos/text-mgmt/TeX/emtex
and from rusmv1.rus.uni-stuttgart.de (129.69.1.12) (user:ftp,
password: guest) in ./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
Jon Radel
P. O. Box 2276
Reston, VA 22090
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 science.utah.edu (128.110.192.2)
in aps:<tex> (this is a TOPS-20 machine).
VAX/VMS - VMS executables are available via anonymous ftp from
ymir.claremont.edu (134.173.4.23) in [.tex.exe]. Source is
available in [.tex.sources]. Version 3.0 is available in
[.tex.sources.tex3_0]. Ymir has a mailserver for those without
ftp access. Send a message containing the line "help" to
mailserv@ymir.claremont.edu.
Atari - TeX is available for the Atari ST from dsrgsun.ces.cwru.edu
(129.22.16.2) in ./pub/atari/StTeX.
Amiga - Disk 1 of the Amiga CommonTeX distribution is available
via anonymous ftp from xanth.cs.odu.edu (128.82.8.1)
in ./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 ./pub/zoo-2.01; the Amiga version is available as
./amiga/zoo-2.00.arc. The file copying.tex in the distribution
contains information on how to obtain the other disks.
19) 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 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 TeXhax and TeXMaG, 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 sun.soe.clarkson.edu.
If you have problems, contact archive-management@sun.soe.clarkson.edu.
20) 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 sun.soe.clarkson.edu
(see question 19).
21) 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 ./pub/tfm and ./pub/canon300 (see
question 19). GF, PXL, and MF files are available via anonymous ftp from
labrea.stanford.edu (36.8.0.47) in the directory ./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 \Bbb). LaTeX users can access them using
the amssymbols.sty style file available from the archive server.
22) 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 ymir.claremont.edu has access
to all the tex-related material there. Send a message containing
the line "help" to 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:
Site uk.ac.aston.tex
Username public
Password public
Top Level tex-archive
A known file is [tex-archive]000directory.list.) For electronic
mail access, send a message to texserver@uk.ac.aston.tex. The
message must contain the following three lines starting in column 1
(and omitting the ===> part):
===> ---
===> (your address from Aston - see below)
===> help
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 name%site@nsfnet-relay, while for Bitnet and
EARN it is name%site@earn-relay.
- There are LISTSERV facilities for TeX on LISTSERV@TAMVM1.BITNET and
LISTSERV@DHDURZ1.BITNET. Send a message containing the line "help" to
one of these addresses.
There is also the DECUS TeX collection, a collection of TeX material for
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:
The DECUS Program Library
219 Boston Post Road BP02
Marlboro, MA 01752-1850
(508)480-3418
or send electronic mail to the DECUS TeX Collection Editor, Ted Nieland,
at decus_tex@nieland.dayton.oh.us.
Bobby Bodenheimer @hot.caltech.edu
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