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Re: Scientific Word Processors



Joe Darling wrote:

Would anyone care to recommend a scientific word processor.

I use MS Word and equation editor which is part of that.
It is WYSIWYG
Menu driven (sadly - I like short cuts)
Diagram import is a little clumbsy at times.
I actually used Freehand to draw with, only because I have not bought
Intellidraw for NT. Interfaces directly into Word.
I use Paintshop Pro to handle graphics like GIF TIFF JPEG etc.
I can publish directly in HTML if needed.

I have a number of collaborators who share stuff and MS Word can import
most stuff or export it in other formats.
Lots of Nifty things - like footnotes etc etc

Now: there is advertised an equation editor add on. If it can do more
than the basic EE that is built in (and it is supposed to) it must be
pretty good.

Now: LaTeX
Used by a lot here.
Scientific Word is a Windows 'Front End' LaTeX and many here also use
it.
LATEX2HTML is a small app which converts native (NON scientific word)
LaTeX files to HTML.
LaTeX has a HUGE learning curve.
Search the web and you will find a download.



The first priority is to be able to efficiently type mathematical
equations with all of the various symbols.

The second priority is to be able to type a few lines of words. I would
gladly sacrifice a lot of the advanced features of the typical word
processor for the ability to readily type mathematical equations.

The third priority is to be able to make lines drawings such as
coordinate systems, possibly augmented with circles, ellipses, parabolas,
etc.

The fourth priority is the ability to import figures or pictures
from other sources.

My objective is to keep my notes in a computer processible format. Now I
write them by hand and keep them in three ring notebooks. I can update
by inserting pages, but revisions and additions are tedious.

I would also appreciate any comments on features I might not have
anticipated.

Joe D. Darling jdarling@emh1.otc.cc.mo.us
Instructor of Physics and Physical Science
Ozarks Technical Community College
1020 East Brower Springfield, MO 65802
(417) 895-7907 (417) 895-7085 FAX

--
Derek Chirnside d.chirnside@phys.canterbury.ac.nz
Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Canterbury
Private Bag 4800, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Currently on loan from Shirley Boys High School

Ph: +64 3 366 7001 Ext 7561
Fax: +64 3 364 2469
Home: DCandPC@netaccess.co.nz