Using LaTeX in T306
LaTeX is now up and running in the lab!
To use LaTeX:
1. Create your .tex file (I assume it is called "file.tex") in a folder
on the C: drive. I will assume the folder is called "C:\folder".
2. Go to the Start menu, Programs, DOS prompt.
3. In the DOS window, type "cd .." to get the "C:\>" prompt. Then type
"cd folder" to get into your folder (to get "C:\folder>").
4. To run LaTeX: Type the long command "N:\texmf\miktex\bin\latex
file" (from the prompt C:\folder>), i.e.,
C:\folder> N:\texmf\miktex\bin\latex file
This is necessary because the paths in the lab don't work the normal way!
5. You can view your file using "yap". Go to "Start", "Course Software",
"MATH 181", "MikTeX2", "DVI Viewer".
6. You can print (in the lab) using the yap DVI viewer like any Windows
program.
If step 4 fails to work, try just typing "latex" from "C:\folder>". It will respond with a "**" after which you type "file" (i.e., your filename) and return. This last method is (hopefully) foolproof!
You should pass in your ".dvi" file output (as well as your .tex file). Use the program WS-FTP in Start, "Programs", "Internet Resources".
In particular, use FTP to copy your "file.dvi" file from the lab to your "public_html" directory on gwis2 (assuming your web site is on gwis2).
In WS-FTP set "hostname" as gwis2.circ.gwu.edu" and use your login and password. You will need to type your password twice (for some reason).
This is a fairly intuitive program. On the left side will be the PC directories. On the right will be your gwis2 directories.
Important: Click the button labeled "Binary" to upload dvi files!
TeX files and other text based
files like html and program listings should be sent in "Text" mode.
Maple worksheets can go either way.
To upload your file, go to its directory on the left and your target directory in gwis2 on the right. Mark the file on the left and push the right arrow (in the middle). The file should upload in a few seconds.
You can also us WS-FTP to upload you "file.tex". Don't forget to add
links to them in your web page.
[To do this in the lab you will need to type the long pathname again "N:\texmf\miktex\bin\dvips file"]
Then run ghostview and use the "pdfwrite" option on the print menu. Be sure to check the "print to file" box. (See the links page to download ghostview). You do this from the math department computers where ghostview is already installed. In the lab you can install ghostview, but it will be wiped out at night!
Generally PDF is a better format for posting math to the web because anyone with the (free) Acrobat Reader can view your document. To view a dvi file, someone would need TeX. Another alternative is to post the postscript file (file.ps) itself (but these are typically huge). Note: .ps files should be FTPed in text mode!
For this lab .pdf or .ps are not necessary; just the .dvi and .tex files are fine!
Using LaTeX in the Math Department is much the same, except in step
4 just type "latex file".