Scribing Information

Using LaTeX

For running LaTeX (more precisely, pdflatex), in Windows, I like MikTeX and TeXnicCenter, TeXmaker, TexMakerX, or TeXworks.
In Linux, I use texlive instead of MikTex and I use TeXmaker, TexMakerX, or TexWorks.
For making figures in both Windows and Linux, I like ipe because you can put LaTeX into the figures easily.

What you need to do after getting LaTeX

After reading this page, click on the link at the bottom and download all the files you see.
The file you want to run pdflatex on is lnotesmain.tex (click on lnotesmain.pdf to see what you should get).
The file where you put your contribution should be named in the form lec〈two-digit number〉〈yourlastname〉.tex
For example, the file with the first lecture is lec01gubner.tex
Near the bottom of lnotesmain.tex be sure to change the \include to use YOUR contribution.

General Advice

  1. Don't type past column 65 in your .tex file. This makes it much easier to locate mistakes and to edit your file. A single "enter" does NOT start a new paragaph.
  2. Separate paragraphs with a blank line. In other words, if a paragraph ends with "end." after the period, press "enter" twice to get a blank line. Don't use double backslashes "\\" unless you are in an environment such as "itemize".
  3. Use pdflatex. Keep figures in .pdf files.
  4. For scribed notes, do NOT introduce personalized macros unless you really need them. If you do, e-mail them to me to include in the main file.
  5. To open a quotation, use `` (that is the grave accent character twice). To close a quotation, use '' (that is two apostrophes, NOT a double quote character).
  6. There are many LaTeX tutorials online. Search for them.

Specific Advice

The file mymacros2.sty provides many macros that I have found useful. Please use them when you scribe. In particular:
  1. Use \beas and \eeas instead of \begin{eqnarray*} and \end{eqnarray*}. This improves spacing around the "equals sign".
  2. Similarly, use \bea and \eea instead of \begin{eqnarray} and \end{eqnarray} .
  3. Use \be and \ee instead of \begin{equation} and \end{equation}.
  4. Use \bdm and \edm instead of \begin{displaymath} and \end{displaymath}
  5. Use \lb instead of \label. Start label names with ln: where n is the number of the lecture you are scribing. Similarly for \bibitem.
  6. To refer to an equation number, use \er{YourLabel} instead of (\ref{YourLabel}). You get the parentheses for free.
  7. Use \de instead of :=
  8. Use \Proof and press "enter" to start a proof. Use \QED and press "enter" to get the box at the end of a proof.

Click here for files (Some files updated Wednesday, 16-May-2010.)


File "start.shtml" last modified Tue 15 Oct 2019, 01:45 PM, CDT
Web Page Contact: John (dot) Gubner (at) wisc (dot) edu