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\title{\LamSTeX{} Goes Public}
\LamSTeX{}, version 2.0, is now public domain software. I am hoping that it
will be placed in various archives, and that TUG and others will distribute~%
it.
For questions about \LamSTeX{}, I may be contacted via email:
{\tt spivak@math15.rice.edu}
For those unfamiliar with \LamSTeX{}, {\it vis a vis} \LaTeX, here are some
salient points:
\bitem \LamSTeX{} is not $\cal AMS$-\LaTeX!
\bitem \LamSTeX{} is an extension of \AmSTeX, and thus almost completely
compatible with plain \TeX\ (an additional file, {\tt pcompat.tex}, provides
complete compatibility, by overriding certain changes made in \AmSTeX).
\bitem \LamSTeX{} provides essentially the same functionality as \LaTeX, although
the syntax is usually more concise.
\bitem \LamSTeX{} also provides this functionality in a much more flexible form; all
automatic numbering schemes can easily be modified for special
circumstances (many illustrations of the importance of this flexibility are
given in the \LamSTeX\ Manual).
\bitem \LamSTeX{} can now interface with \BibTeX.
\bitem \LamSTeX{} provides many additional fcatures, only a few of which can be
indicated here:
\itemitem{(1)}Of particular interest are complicated commutative diagrams --
at least as professional-looking as those that appear in journals -- and
partitioned matrices.
\itemitem{(2)}The table macros generally provide much more professional
looking tables than other packages, because of the close attention to struts,
because of simple methods of extending lines between rows when needed, etc.
\itemitem{(3)}\LamSTeX{} has an extensive set of commands for automatic
placement of figures and tables.
\bitem Many \LaTeX\ difficulties just now being addressed have simply never existed
in \LamSTeX{}. For example, there are no such things as `fragile' commands in
\LamSTeX{}, and no worries about long |\write|'s and undesired expansions in
|\write|'s to auxiliary files (like the |.toc| file). Arbitrarily long literal
mode material can split across pages.
\bitem The \LamSTeX{}{\it Wizard's Manual\/} provides {\sc extensive}
documention; it explains in complete detail the reasons for every single
device in the code.
\bitem The \LamSTeX{} {\it Style File Designer's Manual\/} provides
documentation for designing style files; it is essentially an extract from
the {\it Wizard's Manual}, covering just those topics that might be needed by
style designers.
\bitem Writing the {\it Wizard's Manual\/} afforded me the opportunity to
completely rewrite \LamSTeX{}. Version 2.0 has many small bug fixes, important
extensions, and more efficient code. In addition, the code is much more
modular, allowing changes for different style files to be made much more
easily.
\bitem I will support \LamSTeX{} not only with bug fixes, but with extensions that
seem reasonable and desirable.
The 300 page spiral bound \LamSTeX{} Manual, {\it \LamSTeX, The Synthesis},
is \$30.00 (includes shipping).
The 600 page {\it Wizard's Manual\/}, presumably of extremely
limited interest, is printed on demand. It is distributed in the form of
approximately 300 3-hole punched pages, printed (on both sides) by laser
printer. It is \$40.00, including shipping. (A free copy may be requested
with every order of 15 or more \LamSTeX{} Manual.)
The {\it Style File Designer's Manual\/} is not yet complete. It will
probably be about 200 pages, spiral bound like the \LamSTeX{} Manual, and
sold at a bargain price (perhaps \$10.00, including shipping).
All manuals may be purchased through \TeX plorators.
\author{Mike Spivak}
% 3701 W Alabama, Suite 450-273, Houston, TX 77027
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