Problems with previewing posts that use LaTeX

  • Context: LaTeX 
  • Thread starter Thread starter NoPhysicsGenius
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around issues encountered when previewing posts that utilize LaTeX formatting in a forum context. Participants share their experiences with the "Preview Post" function, specifically regarding how LaTeX equations are displayed and whether they are affected by browser caching.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes a problem where the "Preview Post" function does not update LaTeX equations after editing, leading to confusion and hesitation in using LaTeX.
  • Another participant attributes the issue to browser caching, noting that some users experience this problem while most do not.
  • A third participant confirms experiencing the same issue, indicating it is not isolated to one user.
  • One participant suggests that refreshing the page may help and emphasizes the importance of properly formatting LaTeX tags.
  • A participant mentions adding expiration directives to the LaTeX images directory in an attempt to resolve the issue.
  • Another participant reports that the "Preview Post" function now works for them after changes were made, but notes that the problem has been inconsistent for them in the past.
  • One participant states that their experience with the issue is not related to Internet Explorer, as they are using Firefox.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that there are issues with the "Preview Post" function related to LaTeX, but there are multiple competing views regarding the cause of the problem, particularly concerning browser caching and formatting. The discussion remains unresolved as participants continue to share their experiences and potential solutions.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention specific browser versions and settings, indicating that the problem may depend on individual configurations. There is also mention of the need for proper formatting of LaTeX tags, which could affect the display of equations.

NoPhysicsGenius
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Say that I have the following LaTeX equation:

[tex]x = x_0 + v_{0x}t[/tex]

Let us then say that I click the "Preview Post" button in the "Post New Thread" dialog box.

So far, everything has gone fine.

However, say that I go to the above LaTeX equation and write (without the spaces before and after "tex" and "/tex":

[ tex ]x = x_0 + v_{0x}t + \frac{1}{2}a_{x}t^2[ /tex ]​

Then, say I click the "Preview Post" button for a second time. Guess what? The original equation still appears! Please try this to confirm what I am saying.

For more complex and multiple uses of the "[ tex ]" and "[ /tex ]" modifiers, multiple uses of the "Preview Post" button between edits leads to a mess so jumbled, I can no longer be confident that my message will be submitted intact. I find LaTeX to be a bit intimidating in the first place. As such, because of the problems I have been having with the "Preview Post" function, I have yet to use LaTeX in any of my posts. However, I need help with a problem using vectors, and I believe that the only way I will be able to generate an understandable post will be via the use of LaTeX.

So what is going wrong?

If this is an issue with my browser, I'll point out that I'm using Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 under Windows XP Service Pack 1.

If this isn't an issue with my browser, do you plan on fixing this problem any time soon?

Thank you.

P.S. I am assuming that when I finally get around to clicking on the "Submit New Thread" button that everything will be displayed correctly ...
 
Last edited:
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It is, in fact, a browser issue. Your browser is caching the images, even when it should not. Some users have this problem, while most do not. I will look into modifying the .htaccess to force Pragma: no-cache ASAP to see if it makes any difference for you. The majority of our users have no problem.

The final images generated after clicking Submit are different than those generated by the preview and will not be affected.

- Warren
 
Errr...I have this same problem.
 
I've noticed this too. Pressing the Refresh button usually helps. Also make sure your tex is properly formatted, all tags are closed, etc, etc. I once put in a malformed tex string that the processor obviously couldn't do anything with, and IE displayed a tex image from a different post of mine.
 
Okay, I've added expiration directives to the latex_images directory. Please let me know if the problem goes away.

- Warren
 
Great news ... The "Preview Post" function now works for me with LaTeX. Thanks!
 
chroot said:
Okay, I've added expiration directives to the latex_images directory. Please let me know if the problem goes away.

- Warren
Thanks! I've also had all the problems mentioned above at times. It has never been consistent though.

(And FWIW, it is not an IE thing as I'm using Firefox.)
 

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