[XeTeX] XeTeX in lshort

[Gerrit Glabbart]

Am 30.09.2010 um 16:01 schrieb Keith J. Schultz:

<snip>
> If you take the 
> time to look at a Word-file(doc or docx) verbatim, you will see the structure.
> Though some of it will not be human discernible.

I'd call that a drawback, wouldn't you?


> With Tex et al. the structure/formatting commands are in document verbatim.
> When using TeX et al. you are more aware of what you are doing, but there is 
> not more structure.

More awareness is better, no?


> The only thing Tex et al. gives you is more flexibility and makes it easier to change 
> style and page metrics as compared to Word.

more flexibility; easier to change; again, better.

<snip>

I didn't think I'd have to defend the merits of TeX *on a mailing list devoted to (a form of) TeX*, but here we are.

I'm not saying LaTeX is for everyone, or that working in TeX is an inherently superior experience for everyone (though it is for me) -- but I am saying that (a lot) more people than mathematicians and linguists may find TeX useful, if they only ever heard about it. 

And that's were lshort comes in: it's (supposed to be) an overview over the possibilities and capabilities of LaTeX, with just enough information to get started, but not enough to be intimidating. It worked for me, it may work for others. Right now, any introduction to TeX that does not mention XeTeX must be considered incomplete, which is why I find this attempt to provide that mention so commendable -- so, thanks in advance!

-- Gerrit.