[OS X TeX] Advise needed for transition from PC to Mac

[Peter Dyballa]

Am 02.10.2009 um 00:59 schrieb Per Ting:

> 1-What is the best method of setting up MacTex (TeXshop and friends)?

Reading the supplied documentation and that on the web site.

> Should I wait until Texlive 2009 is available?

No. Start with TeX Live 2009-pretest. It *is* usable. It is also  
*vast*. Could be within a month it becomes final via the command line  
and X11 based tlmgr or the TLU (TeX Live Update) application in MacTeX.

> Does Texlive get updated as frequently as Miktex?

No, it's much more often. But it's you who checks for updates. No-one  
is pushing.

> Does it have on the fly package download capabilities?

It's not clear what you mean. TeX Live and MiKTeX are based on  
different philosophy, I think. If you install TeX Live from DVD  
(i.e., not the ready-made MacTeX) you have the choice to make  
selections of meta- and other packages. It's later possible to add  
new selections (I never tried to remove one), which are downloaded  
and installed instantly. Which can mean that it takes some ten  
minutes in case MAP and/or FMT files need to be renewed.

> Does it have update facilities like Miktex?

No. It's a better one: as soon as some contributor has submitted an  
update and this update is then incorporated into TeX Live and the  
database for tlmgr/TLU, you can access this update. No extra install  
packages need to be made as in MiKTeX.

> Is the editor as versatile and configurable as Winedt with a macro  
> writing capability?

I use GNU Emacs... Free software for another great free software.

>
> 2-What is the best method of installing Winedt+Miktex+Sumatra (and  
> adobe
> reader) under Parallels for a complete Newbie in the Mac world? Can  
> I set up
> the Mactex and Miktex in such a way that they share style files and  
> fonts?

It should be possible to mount the MacTeX/TeX Live distribution on  
the HFS+ volume somehow and make it available as some drive in the MS  
Losedos environment. You'll need to reconfigure MiKTeX to use  
"foreign" TeX.

>
> 3-How can I use Lucida Bright and Mathtime fonts under Mac with  
> Texshop?

Easily. You'll find some dozen threads on this in the archives of  
this list.

>
> 4-Any other hints, suggestions, and informative links that I should  
> now be
> fore installation?


Look at those at the footer of my or any other mail on this list...

--
Greetings

   Pete

The future will be much better tomorrow.
				– George W. Bush