path: root/info/digests/tex-mag/v4.n2

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|                                                                             |
|  =====//=====   \\   //                 ____       A Mostly Unofficial      |
|      //          \\ //   |\    /|     //           Publication for Users    |
|     //  //======  \V/    ||\  //|     \\           of the TeX Typesetting   |
|    //  //        // \\   || \// |   /\ \\  ===\    System.                  |
|   //  //====    //   \\  ||     |  // \ \\     |                            |
|  //  //        //     \\ ||     | //===\ \\___/    Volume 4, Number 2       |
|     //=======                    //     \          Distribution: 2150 or so |
|                                                                             |
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Contents
 
Departments
  \headline..........................................................1
  \footnote..........................................................2
  ToolBox............................................................3
Features
  Reader's Survey....................................................4
  Bart Childs' Thoughts on TUG.......................................5
  Notes on Coming Issues.............................................6
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TeXMaG Volume 4 Number 2                                       page 1
 
*-----------------------------------------------------------------------------*
|                    \headline{TeXMaG's New Look...}                          |
*-----------------------------------------------------------------------------*
 
TeXMaG is undergoing some changes, the biggest of which is a change of
editorial staff. Formerly, as we all know, it was produced by Don
Hosek, who is putting TeXMaG aside for greater and grander pursuits.
In the past TeXMaG was published rather sporadically. We would like
to change this and produce TeXMaG close to once a month. If this
becomes an unreasonable goal, it will be published regularly, no less
that once every two months.
 
In the past TeXMaG has been a sort of melting pot for articles ranging
from macros to device drivers to fonts to beginning topics in both TeX
and LaTeX. We feel it would be good to narrow the scope of TeXMaG
somewhat. While we feel it should definitely be a valuable resource
for TeX and LaTeX users alike, we also feel its topics should be more
centralized as an aid to the reader. This issue contains a Reader's
Survey which we feel will help guide us in finding your biggest needs.
PLEASE! Help us by filling it out and returning it by July 20.
 
In addition, we would also like to start a letters to the editor
column. Feel free to send your comments and suggestions for TeXMaG to
my address (which is listed about a dozen times in this issue so I
won't type it again).
 
This issue is abbreviated in size due to the change in editing staff
coupled with the fact that we wanted to get the survey out as quickly
as possible. The last article details some upcoming features to look
for in future issues.
 
-ed.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TeXMaG  Volume 4, Issue 2                                      page 2
 
*----------------------------------------------------------------------------*
|                       \footline{The Banner Contest}                        |
*----------------------------------------------------------------------------*
 
Avid readers of the TeXMaG probably noticed the revised banner. We
thought it was time for a change, but we were not perfectly satisfied
with the results. While we thought it looked nice and was a good
effort, we feel more could be done.
 
                    ***** NOW HERE THIS!! ******
 
We are calling for all interested parties to butt your heads together
and devise a new banner. We are going to have a judging between now and
the next issue to determine the winner. The prize? Well, your banner
will be the NEW banner and we will announce your name and put your
banner in the next issue of TeXMaG. Of course, all entries are subject
to the approval of the editing staff, and we reserve the right to keep
the current banner if we deem it to be the best (so there!).
 
Regulations for a New Banner: Only standard printable characters.
80-columns wide. Must reserve a place for volume, issue, and distrib-
ution counts. The current caption describing TeXMaG is fine, but if
you think you have a better one, send it in.
 
Send entries to NABTEXM@TAMVENUS (NABTEXM@VENUS.TAMU.EDU).
 
-ed.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TeXMaG  Volume 4, Issue 2                                      page 3
 
*----------------------------------------------------------------------------*
|                               The ToolBox                                  |
*----------------------------------------------------------------------------*
 
In this month's ToolBox we have a LaTeX style file which allows you to
create an outlined box with a shadow; following we have a plain TeX
macro to do the same. In addition, the TeX macro allows you the option
of having angled corners on the shadowed box.
 
We played around with the style file some and got some nice results.
You can put an entire paragraph in the box if you like; however we did
have some problems trying to use this in multiple column mode, so
don't try that unless you are sure your box is less than the column
width.
 
(Mauro, any solutions to this problem?)
 
(cut here for LaTeX style file)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
%
% File:     SHADOW.STY
%           (adapted from the file dropshadow.tex by drstrip@cd.sandia.gov)
%
% Creation date: 6 June 1990
%
% Abstract: The command \sbox has the same meaning of the LaTeX command
%           \fbox except for the fact that a "shadow" is added to the
%           bottom and the right side of the box.
%           It computes the right dimension of the box, also if the text
%           spans over more than one line; in this case a warning message
%           is given.
%           There are three parameters governing:
%        1. the width of the lines comprising the box -> \sboxrule
%        2. the separation between the edge of the box
%           and its contents -> \sboxsep
%        3. the dimension of the shadow -> \sdim
%           To use this file put it in the preamble, as usual:
%           \documentstyle[...,shadow,...]{...}
%
% Syntax:   \sbox{<text>}
%           where <text> is the text to be put in the framed box
% Example:  \sbox{This is an example.}
%
% Author:   Mauro Orlandini
%           International School for Advanced Studies - Trieste - Italy
%           ORLANDIN@ITSSISSA
%           38007::ORLANDINI
%
\newdimen\sht  \newdimen\shw  \newbox\shbox
\newdimen\sboxsep  \newdimen\sboxrule  \newdimen\sdim
\sboxsep  = 10pt
\sdim     = 4pt
\sboxrule = .4pt
\def\sbox#1{\setbox\@tempboxa\hbox{#1}
\shw\wd\@tempboxa
\ifdim\shw<\textwidth
  \leavevmode\setbox\@tempboxa\hbox{#1}
\else
  \typeout{Warning. Box dimension greater than textwidth.}
  \setbox\@tempboxa\vbox{\hsize\textwidth\advance\hsize-2\sboxsep
       \advance\hsize-2\sboxrule \advance\hsize-\sdim#1}
\fi
 \setbox\shbox\hbox{\@tempdima\sboxrule
     \advance\@tempdima \sboxsep \advance\@tempdima \dp\@tempboxa
    \hbox{\lower \@tempdima\hbox
   {\vbox{\hrule \@height \sboxrule
           \hbox{\vrule \@width \sboxrule \hskip\sboxsep
            \vbox{\vskip\sboxsep \box\@tempboxa\vskip\sboxsep}\hskip
                         \sboxsep\vrule \@width \sboxrule}
                   \hrule \@height \sboxrule}}}}
\sht\ht\shbox \advance\sht-\sdim
\leavevmode\vbox{\baselineskip0pt\lineskip0pt
             \hbox{\copy\shbox\vrule width\sdim height\sht}
             \hbox{\kern\sdim\vrule height\sdim width \wd\shbox}}}
%
% End of SHADOW.STY
%
____________________________________________________________________
(cut here)
 
Here is a similar macro for use in plain TeX. The format is
\shadowbox{...text...}. You also have the option of angled edges
(which is the default). To get non angled edges, the appropriate
command is \anglesfalse. The accuracy of the angled edges can be
adjusted. The default is 50 (this means that there are 50 hrules in
each of the angles). Use the \accuracy= token to do this.
 
Of course, to typeset a paragraph, put the text into a \vbox within
\shadowbox.
 
(cut here for TeX macro)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
%
% Shadow Box Macro v1.0
%
% Academic Computing Services
%
% Texas A&M University
%
% Written by Robert Nilsson (RANHELP@VENUS.TAMU.EDU)
%
\message{<Shadow Box v1.0, ACS, TAMU (RANHELP@VENUS.TAMU.EDU)>}
%
% Control Values
%
\newdimen\shadowwidth
\shadowwidth=4pt
\newdimen\normalwidth
\normalwidth=0.4pt
\newcount\accuracy
\accuracy=50
\newif\ifangles
\anglestrue
%
% Define \shadowbuff to be the amount of space on
% either side of the contents of the box.
%
\def\shadowbuff{\quad}
%
% Internal Variables
%
\newdimen\shadowboxwd
\newdimen\shadowboxht
\newcount\shadowloop
\newdimen\shadowamount
%
% Macro Body
%
\def\shadowbox#1{%
  \setbox0=\hbox{\strut\shadowbuff#1\shadowbuff}%
  \shadowboxwd=\wd0%
  \shadowboxht=\ht0%
  \advance\shadowboxht by \dp0%
  \advance\shadowboxht by -\shadowwidth%
  \advance\shadowboxht by 2\normalwidth%
  \shadowamount=\shadowwidth%
  \divide\shadowamount by \accuracy%
  \vbox{\hbox{\vrule width\normalwidth%
                         \vbox{\hrule height\normalwidth%
  \hbox to\shadowboxwd{\box0}\hrule height\normalwidth}\vrule%
  \shadowloop=\accuracy%
  \hbox{\vbox{%
  \ifangles
    \loop%
      \ifnum\shadowloop>0%
        \hbox to \shadowwidth{\leaders\hrule height
                                       \shadowamount\hfil%
        \hskip\shadowloop\shadowamount}\nointerlineskip%
        \advance\shadowloop by -1%
    \repeat%
  \else%
    \vskip \shadowwidth%
  \fi%
  \hbox to \shadowwidth{\leaders\hrule height\shadowboxht\hfil}}}%
  }\nointerlineskip%
  \advance\shadowboxwd by 2\normalwidth%
  \shadowloop=0%
  \hbox{\hbox to \shadowwidth{%
  \ifangles%
    \vbox{%
    \loop%
      \ifnum\shadowloop<\accuracy%
        \hbox to \shadowwidth{\hskip\shadowloop\shadowamount%
        \leaders\hrule height \shadowamount\hfil}\nointerlineskip%
        \advance\shadowloop by 1%
    \repeat}%
  \else%
    \hfil%
  \fi}%
  \hbox to \shadowboxwd{\leaders\hrule height \shadowwidth\hfil}}}}%
----------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 
TeXMaG  Volume 4, Issue 2                                      page 4
 
*----------------------------------------------------------------------------*
|                            Reader's Survey                                 |
*----------------------------------------------------------------------------*
 
PLEASE! We need YOUR help to make TeXMaG the electronic mailer YOU want
it to be. Help us by editing the (short) survey below with your favorite
text editor and returning it to the address below.
 
 Name________________________________________________________________
 E-mail Address______________________________________________________
 
Part I.
 
 What kind of Machine do you run TeX on? (Check all applicable answers)
      ___ VAX running VMS               ___ Unix system
      ___ IBM running VM/CMS            ___ IBM running MVS
      ___ SUN                           ___ Apple MacIntosh
      ___ IBM PC or Clone               ___ Amiga
      ___ Other (Specify)______________
 
 What type of printer do you use?
      ___ PostScript                    ___ HP LaserJet Series //
      ___ DEC LN03                          (or compatible)
      ___ Xerox 4050/9700               ___ Dot Matrix Printer
      ___ QMS Laser Printer             ___ Other, specify:
                                        ______________________________
 
   Which version of TeX are you currently running?
        ___ 3.0         ___ 2.9x         ___ Other:___     ___ Not sure
 
 
   Which of the following do you subscribe to/read regularly?
        ___ TeXHAX (Arpanet mailing list) ___ TUGBoat
        ___ TeXline                       ___ Other__________________
 
 
Part II (The important part.)
 
   What would you like to see in the coming year in TeXMaG?
   (check all applicable)
        ___ Beginning Articles on TeX, LaTeX, etc.
        ___ Intermediate Articles on TeX, LaTeX, etc.
        ___ Advanced Macros and Articles for TeX, Latex, etc.
        ___ Graphics in TeX
        ___ Articles on installing/upgrading TeX, et al...
        ___ Reviews of TeX formats/services/utilities...
        ___ Articles you don't find anywhere else
        ___ Other __________________________________________________
                  __________________________________________________
 
The one thing I dislike most about TeXMaG is________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________.
 
The one thing I like the most about TeXMaG is_______________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________.
 
More than anything, I wish TeXMaG talked more about_________________
___________________________________________________________________.
 
I feel I get repeated information in TeXMaG. It isn't anything new.
        ___Agree ____Disagree.
 
 
 
Additional Comments:
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
 
 
Return this survey to NABTEXM@TAMVENUS (that's
NABTEXM@VENUS.TAMU.EDU to those of you on internet)
sometime before July 20. We will use this information to help
point TeXMaG in the right direction.  A summary of the results
will be published in the next issue.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TeXMaG  Volume 4, Issue 2                                      page 5
 
*----------------------------------------------------------------------------*
|                       Bart Childs' Thoughts on TUG                         |
*----------------------------------------------------------------------------*
 
Bart Childs, the local host for the recent TeX User's Group
Annual Conference, was kind enough to post his reflections on
the classes and meeting. Our thanks goes out to him for his hard
work and his desire to make the meeting the best it could be.
 
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                Some Reflections on Hosting a Meeting
 
                          (by  S. Bart Childs)
 
 
Let me begin with a few ramblings.  Those of you who weren't here
might be helped by the following annotated capsule of the conference
and some related activities.
 
My last conference at Stanford was wonderful and frustrating.
Each day of the conference we had 1.5 hours for lunch.  The TUG
Board of Directors spent at least 10 minutes (probably more like
15) walking to lunch, meeting until the line was short, breaking
and going through the line, eating, meeting, and then allowing
10 minutes to hurry back to the conference.  We lost a valuable
time to meet with "our constituents."   This time we scheduled
Sunday from noon till five and that was not enough! Next year it
will probably be scheduled for 8 till 5 and be through at 10:30.
 
I have heard lots of good reports on the courses before and after
the conference.  This is in spite of the horrible problems I had
with the equipment.  File served PS2s are a logical way to provide
a lot of TeX with previewers ... to a lot of people.  However,
there are problems.  Ours was not transparent! Help files placed
in  /usr/tex/inputs  from the unix side of the server were not
compatible with the PC's TeX.  The utilities to convert between
did not work! There were errors in PATH on systems without hard
drives...
 
The actual conference was held on the usual Monday, Tuesday,
Wednesday schedule.  We had a get acquainted "ethnic feast"
on Sunday night, for a price. About 70 percent of those registered
paid and were there (I think a few more sneaked in.)
This started out with snacks from a Mexican Restaurant and
was to be followed by a wonderful TeXas barbecue.  Well,
when my handwritten instructions were converted to the order,
the time I left for clean up and be gone got used as the time
to serve.  That was the longest hour and a half in my life.
We had a polka band from a nearby Czech community for entertainment.
I invited seven couples from the area to be designated dancers.
The band had to start before the main course was served.
They broke while we ate because they got to eat, too.
We had a ball, even our Executive Director, Ray Goucher,
did the "Chicken Dance."
 
Most of the Monday schedule is necessary and boring stuff.
We had elections, status reports, business meeting, ...
I am sure that some of the new attendees wondered.  We finally
got to TeX things in the last session of the day.  The last
two days were primarily papers that you would expect at a
TeX conference.
 
We had a good set of exhibitors showing some really good TeX
systems.  Really neat gifts were given by TUG and the exhibitors.
We got key fobs, nard badges, TeX rulers, bought T-shirts,  ...
The worst loss was one vendor's high resolution display was
damaged in transit and couldn't show his wares.
 
The conference was held on campus but campus housing was not
offered because we wanted to gauge the effects of having ONE place
(a hotel in this case) for everybody. We generally rode back and
forth in shuttles. The after hours meetings were held in hotel
facilities.
 
I had some wonderful helpers and volunteers.  The only problem is
that I should have always finished every conference or agreement
by putting it in writing and copying everybody.  That would have
avoided the problem like I had with the BBQ.
 
In retrospect, I thought it was a wonderful conference. We had
some really good discussions, disagreements, and agreements.  I
guess one of the most telling stories is:
 
 
     One person saw me standing across the room and was
     on his way to thank me for the conference. As he
     walked he thought about what he would say and was
     going to start it with a compliment about the BBQ
     and dance.  He planned to mention my friends who
     danced with any willing experimenters. On the way,
     he heard from another conversation, "it was really
     a good conference but we sure could do without the
     dancing and singing."
 
 
A recommendation to the next local host: if you have any
continuing local obligations you had better have a good and
available staff to carry the load for you.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TeXMaG  Volume 4, Issue 2                                      page 6
 
*----------------------------------------------------------------------------*
|                      An Afterthought on Coming Issues                      |
*----------------------------------------------------------------------------*
 
Like we mentioned earlier, this issue has been abbreviated for various
reasons. But stay tuned! Next issue promises to have a Tables Macro
called S-Tables (don't know what the S stands for, yet). It provides
multi-row, multi-column, variant-width ruled tables (by variant I
mean you can *easily* set the width of rules throughout the table).
In addition, it provides for easy paragraph insertion into a table
which again can span multiple columns and rows. Full documentation
will be provided.
 
We also will have survey results, and you can be sure to see TeXMaG
grow to fit the interests of the general reader as best as we can.
 
Feel free to submit articles you feel would be a general help to the
TeX community. We are at present accepting articles on all aspects of
TeX, MetaFont, etc. Macros and style files are always helpful, too.
 
-ed.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------
 
TeXMaG is an independently published electronic magazine available
free of charge to all interested parties reachable by electronic
mail. It is published monthly. Letters to the editor may be sent to
NABTEXM@TAMVENUS (BITNet) or NABTEXM@VENUS.TAMU.EDU (Internet) and
may be published in a future issue.
 
    Publisher:  Academic Computing Services of
                    Texas A&M University
 
    Managing Editor:            Neil Burleson
    TeX Editor:                 Robert Nilsson
    LaTeX Editor:               Saad Mir
    Graphics/TeX Editor         Stewart Robinson
    Copy Editor:                Diana Armstrong
 
    Chief Consultant:           John McClain, Ph.D
 
 
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         path A_MAIL_PATH_FROM_CLARKSON_TO_YOU
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   where V is the volume number and NN is the issue number. Including
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   below).
 
 
\bye bye!
%                            End of TeXMaG
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