[tex-live] texmf.cnf problem for DevanagariTeX in Ubuntu904/Texlive

Manuel Pégourié-Gonnard mpg at elzevir.fr
Thu Oct 29 18:59:44 CET 2009


Hi,

[switching to the Debian TeX list]

Norbert Preining a écrit :
> On Mi, 28 Okt 2009, P. P. Narayanaswami wrote:
>> % This file is automatically generated by update-texmf
>> % PLEASE DO NOT EDIT THIS FILE DIRECTLY. It is meant to be generated from
>> % files in /etc/texmf/texmf.d/.
>> % While changes made by users will not be overwritten, they will cause
>> % you trouble. You will be shown the differences between the edited and
>> % the newly created file. We will try to merge our and your changes, but
>> % that might not always work, and you will probably have to edit again.
>> % Therefore, if you want a smooth upgrade, please edit the files
>> % in /etc/texmf/texmf.d,
>> % or create an additional one (with the extension '.cnf'),
>> % and invoke update-texmf.
>>
>> What does this mean?  Am I not allowed to edit and change the texmf.cnf
>> file, and in that case, how can I accomplish the changes need to install
>> DevanagariTeX?  Any help will be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
> 
> Well that does mean what it is written!!!
> 
May I suggest to re-order how things are written?

% This file is automatically generated by update-texmf
% PLEASE DO NOT EDIT THIS FILE DIRECTLY.
% Instead, please edit the files in /etc/texmf/texmf.d,
% or create an additional one (with the extension '.cnf'),
% and invoke update-texmf.
%
% This file is meant to be generated from files in /etc/texmf/texmf.d/.
% While changes made by users will not be overwritten, they will cause
% you trouble. You will be shown the differences between the edited and
% the newly created file. We will try to merge our and your changes, but
% that might not always work, and you will probably have to edit again.

That is, put first the important information: don't do this, do that.
And only afterwards the technical and possibly confusing information
about what will happen if we don't do what is recommended.

The problem with putting the technical information in the middle is that
a user can get confused, and then not notice that the directives about
what should be done follow. (I admit it's nitpicking, but every detail
should be used to help users understanding.)

Manuel.


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