Completely portable LaTeX system? Anything?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding a completely portable LaTeX system, specifically focusing on portable versions of MiKTeX and associated editors. Participants explore various options for editors that can be used alongside portable MiKTeX, addressing concerns about configuration and usability.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants mention that portable MiKTeX includes TeXworks, but there is uncertainty about the need for configuration or setting PATH variables.
  • One participant suggests looking into portable Emacs as a potential editor, while another expresses confusion about its documentation and portability.
  • There are mixed experiences shared regarding the ease of use of portable MiKTeX and TeXworks, with some participants noting a lack of clear instructions on configuration.
  • One participant reports successfully creating and compiling a document in TeXworks without needing to configure any settings, while others remain uncertain about mathematical typesetting capabilities.
  • Another participant highlights the lack of clarity in documentation regarding the portability of Emacs and its installation requirements.
  • Links to external resources for LaTeX templates and mathematical expressions are shared, indicating a collaborative effort to find useful tools and information.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of understanding and experience with portable LaTeX systems, leading to some confusion and uncertainty. There is no consensus on the best portable editor or the necessity of configuration steps, indicating multiple competing views remain.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note limitations in the documentation available for portable editors, particularly regarding installation requirements and configuration settings. The discussion reflects a range of experiences with LaTeX editing and the challenges of using portable software.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for individuals seeking portable LaTeX solutions, particularly those interested in using MiKTeX and exploring various editors like TeXworks and Emacs.

symbolipoint
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There is a portable form of MiKTeX, but I have not yet found description of any portable editor program which could go along with it. Anyone knows of such a portable editor for use with portable MikTeX, please tell.
 
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DrClaude said:
You could have a look at portable Emacs.
I checked those websites. I really did not understand the information there. A careful look into portable MiKTeX seems good right now.

Those other websites did not make clear what EMACS is. Not much documentation telling about how portable is it neither. Windows? Portable? Zipped portable but need to install? I'm confused.
 
JorisL said:
Portable miktex has TeXworks included see "how to use the portable edition" on http://miktex.org/portable
That seems like the neat way to go. The page did not say anything about configuring or setting path or what other settings to make to ensure the editor and the MikTeX will work and will work together. Does the portable form of these programs still need setting various PATHs and other settings?
 
Not certain, I have used it before but that's a long time ago.
I don't remember any problems with standard LaTeX-editing.

I advise you just set it up and try some stuff (follow the steps I referred to before). Perhaps even try to compile some old tex-files you have in the portable environment.
That way you know exactly what's possible and what not.

trying >> thinking in this case :-)
 
JorisL said:
Not certain, I have used it before but that's a long time ago.
I don't remember any problems with standard LaTeX-editing.

I advise you just set it up and try some stuff (follow the steps I referred to before). Perhaps even try to compile some old tex-files you have in the portable environment.
That way you know exactly what's possible and what not.

trying >> thinking in this case :-)
The instructions on the web page did not say anything about configuring or setting options or paths, so I will just extract the EXE 7zip file to a usb flashdrive and see what happens. I have not any TEX files. I had used TeXaide a few times, but I never was too strong at knowing the typesetting codes; that program was graphical with formatting buttons, and I would copy & paste. TeXaide worked well on the physicsforums, and also in Jarte wordprocessor.
 
The unpacking time is taking between 40 and 50 minutes,
... DONE now, took 40 minutes to unpack.I ran miktex-portable.cmd as administrator, then rightclicked to see the taskbar menu. Not sure what next to expect. Options maybe for any configuring? I'm no longer clear on this. TeXWorks and MikTex are supposed to be portable as unpacked from the 7zip file, so guessing no path variable or other configuring should be needed...?
 
Last edited:
  • #10
Nobody answered the last post yet but found it that the package as portable has a helpfile included, with some introductory guidance. TeXworks can be opened, a simple document created, saved, and the compile button digests the .TEX found in the editor window and forms a PDF display according to the code in LaTeX. No configuring, no setting a PATH variable, no other options or settings need be made.

So far, no guidance found in the helpfile for Mathematical typesetting, but a brief online search turned-up this useful site: https://www.sharelatex.com/learn/Mathematical_expressions
Some different code or commands shown there.

I have not yet taken the chance to try any of this for mathematics symbols.
 
  • #11
symbolipoint said:
Those other websites did not make clear what EMACS is. Not much documentation telling about how portable is it neither. Windows? Portable? Zipped portable but need to install? I'm confused.
Emacs is a text editor, and is very well adapted for programming and LaTeX, among many others. I don't have Windows, so I can't very this, but the information here states that you can have it as an executable on a USB stick, no installation needed.

symbolipoint said:
So far, no guidance found in the helpfile for Mathematical typesetting, but a brief online search turned-up this useful site: https://www.sharelatex.com/learn/Mathematical_expressions
Some different code or commands shown there.

I have not yet taken the chance to try any of this for mathematics symbols.
Do you mean that you want to learn LaTeX? If so check out The Not So Short Introduction to LaTeX.
 

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