I am stupid, tell me how to create documents with LaTeX.

[Pinu7]

I want to create documents using LaTeX.

I have:
MiKTeX
TeXnicCenter
Ghostscript
GSview
Mathtype v. 5.0

I want to create documents, but I have no idea how to start, this all seems foreign to me. Assume I am a stupid High School Sophmore who doesn't know anything.

[S_David]

Assuming that you already installed the programs you mentioned, you can write the following in the TeXnixCenter editor and begin:

\documentclass{article}
\begin{document}
%your data here
\end{document}

If you know nothing about Latex, and how to write equations using it, then you have to have a user manual from the Internet. Actually, the Latex has many packages, each of which has its own manual.

Refer to the following link LaTeX/Absolute Beginners (http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/LaTeX/Absolute_Beginners), please.

Good luck

[MikeyW]

Can I ask a quick follow-on question: is LaTeX seen as essential for graduate students in the physics/mathematics area? I still have not learnt it...

[Hepth]

Yes it is essential if you ever plan on writing some papers or a thesis. Its not that hard to learn.
In windows I prefer LED the best for an editor.

[minger]

I would disagree with Hepth. Most people that I see unfortunately still use Word or something else. Having said that, I used latex and have highly recommended it to anyone writing a thesis. Let's be honest, it's just a drop in the pond of time required to write it. You might as well do it right, plus it will eventually save you a CRAPLOAD of time writing equations and cross-referencing.