The Pluses and Minuses of TeX

For one thing, no computer is as natural as pencil and paper. Placing a word in a certain location, writing in big letters or changing to script or Greek can be done almost without thinking when using a pencil, but all these actions require explicit commands when using a keyboard. It's difficult to build a system with easy-to-remember commands, in large part because ease of use depends upon personal preference. For many people, typing "center," or the command "ce" to center a line is easier tha

Written byRobert Goldstein
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Another difference between YAFlYGI and WYSIWYG relates to the mechanics of writing and the differences among editors, formatters and full-featured word processors. Editors are programs that let you construct computer files. Formatters are programs that take computer files as input, rearrange the spacings, change the fonts, number the pages and put everything out to the printer. Word processors are all of the above rolled into one.

When you buy a word processor, you must use its editor and formatter. If both suit you, great. But if you get a YAFIYGI system, you generally get the formatter only and are required to supply your own editor. I find this an advantage.

The selection of an editor can be a very subjective decision. Does the editor have a command mode and insert mode, or do you insert text simply by typing? Does the editor try to force you into overstrike mode or ...

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