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First time I heard docker as a prerequisite to TeX usage. Cross-platform comprehensive LaTeX distributions have been there since at least the mid-90s. And the
by mhd 6y ago
First time I heard docker as a prerequisite to TeX usage. Cross-platform comprehensive LaTeX distributions have been there since at least the mid-90s.
And the ecosystem actually is quite good these days. You always had pretty good editor support in the "nerdy" ones, but these days there are also friendlier frontends like Lyx, Texpad, Texstudio or the collaborative web-based Overleaf.
The backend isn't that bad, either. The days of specialized output and font formats are gone, using any system TTF/OTF and producing PDF is easy enough with pdfTeX, luaTeX adds lua-based scripting to that and ConTeXt does all that plus better access to layout primitives and typographical features. And I'm sure the Rust Rewrite Liberation Front is active in TeX, too.
The worst thing in the TeX world, ironically, is documentation. There's a lot of stuff out there that didn't keep up with all the new features and possibilities.
- yellowapple 6y ago> using any system TTF/OTF As if any typeface could possibly be superior to Computer Modern Serif.
- mhd 6y agoKnuth's own Concrete Roman stares awkwardly…
- baby 6y agoIt’s not a prerequisite, the proof is that no one seems to use docker to build latex. That’s what I meant: it’s an ugly mess and you’ll spend hours trying to compile things like you’re dealing with autotools and a C codebase, and people don’t even use docker. I wouldn’t say the ecosystem is good. Every time you want to add a new extension you’ll be in a world of pain. I prefer customizing emacs at this point.