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Lyx is the answer
Eóin:
timns, writing LaTeX content is pretty darn simple, that is the point of it after all. But writing your own style files is difficult, the underlying descriptive language, TeX, is a fully fledged programming language. That said, most style files out there expose tonnes of variables so you can tweak their look easily, but if you want to start from scratch you're in for a lot of work.
For fun, look at pages 8+ of An Acronym Environment for LATEX2ε. The files is the manual to the Acronym package and the pages I mentioned go through the code involved. It truly all looks like gobbledegoop to me.
timns:
It's like a lot of rewarding things - you can't just dip your toe in, so yes I agree it's got a learning curve. Maybe it's just that I'm wired in the right way - I got on with TeX and LaTeX very well. To my eye it's a lot easier to comprehend than, say, perl.
I suppose the main question is just how much does one really need to fart around with those style files. 90% of the time, those predefined styles are going to work just fine. I do feel there's quite a lot of customize for customization's sake going on.
superboyac:
I suppose the main question is just how much does one really need to fart around with those style files. 90% of the time, those predefined styles are going to work just fine. I do feel there's quite a lot of customize for customization's sake going on.
-timns (March 16, 2011, 04:22 PM)
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I think I'm not being clear. I'm not really disagreeing with you guys. If I didn't want to create my own styles, latex and lyx are perfectly easy to use, and I'd LOVE to use it specifically because of the math abilities.
My issue is that I REQUIRE the ability to create styles from scratch. If you tell me:
I do feel there's quite a lot of customize for customization's sake going on.
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I don't think that's fair to me, because it's like you are telling me how I should do my work. I understand that the default styles are adequate in most cases. I'm telling you, it's not adequate for mine. So my issue is, how can I create my own styles without getting bogged down with programming? I'm not going to want to use any languages. i want buttons, previews, dialogs, drop downs. If not...I'll just stick to Indesign.
So if there is no tool out there that can create customize latex styles from scratch with a gui, i am not interested.
timns:
Oh don't get me wrong - I was making a general statement about folks tinkering with layouts and styles and peppering it with my own personal opinion that different != better in many cases.
Of course not everyone is a programmer, nor has the time or inclination to create nice styles. But it may be that if you are able to exemplify exactly what you needed, some kind soul would step up to the plate and help you. Either here or on the Lyx site.
Or are you saying that you need a different style every time?
JavaJones:
Given your styling needs I think the only clear solution is InDesign, maybe in combination with InCopy. And since you already have it and evidently know how to use it, it's even more compelling. What exactly about it do you want improved for your needs?
- Oshyan
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