Is Mandatory LaTeX Implementation on PF Beneficial for Members?

  • Context: LaTeX 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Greg Bernhardt
  • Start date Start date
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the implementation of LaTeX on Physics Forums (PF) and its potential benefits for community members. Participants explore the functionality, usability, and challenges associated with using LaTeX for mathematical expressions and equations within forum posts.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express excitement about the new LaTeX feature, highlighting its potential to enhance the forum's capabilities.
  • There are discussions about the ease of use of the new LaTeX code, with some members sharing their attempts and experiences.
  • Several participants report issues with the display of LaTeX images, noting that they may not show up in previews or topic reviews.
  • Concerns are raised about the server's performance and the generation of LaTeX images, with some participants experiencing delays and unexpected substitutions of images.
  • Some members question the reliability of the LaTeX implementation, citing instances where the displayed output does not match the input code.
  • Participants share tips and corrections for using LaTeX effectively, including specific commands and syntax adjustments.
  • There is a mention of caveats regarding the current limitations of the LaTeX feature, including issues with image generation and potential platform dependencies.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the excitement surrounding the LaTeX implementation, but multiple competing views remain regarding its reliability and usability. The discussion includes both positive feedback and concerns about technical issues, indicating that the topic is still unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include unresolved issues with image generation, potential platform-dependent behavior, and discrepancies between input code and displayed output. These factors contribute to ongoing uncertainty about the effectiveness of the LaTeX feature.

  • #61
Originally posted by chroot
<br /> \int_{0}^{1} x dx = \left[ \frac{1}{2}x^2 \right]_{0}^{1} = \frac{1}{2}<br />

v(t) = v_0 + \frac{1}{2} a t^2

<br /> \int_{0}^{1} y dy = \left[ \frac{1}{2}y^2 \right]_{0}^{1} = \frac{1}{2}<br />

v(t) = v_0 + \frac{1}{2} a t^2

<br /> \int_{0}^{1} z dz = \left[ \frac{1}{2}z^2 \right]_{0}^{1} = \frac{1}{2}<br />

v(t) = v_0 + \frac{1}{2} a t^2
 
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  • #62
Originally posted by chroot
g_{\mu\nu}

g_{\mu\nu}

g_{\mu\nu}

g_{\mu\nu}

g_{\mu\nu}

g_{\mu\nu}

g_{\mu\nu}

g_{\mu\nu}
 
  • #63
Okay guys...

Keep playing with the LaTeX stuff.

At the moment, it seems like newreply.php sometimes doesn't work quite right, but I can't identify the situations where it fails just yet.

If you post a new reply and something doesn't work right, hit edit, then save, and it should be fine. I'm going to look into the problem soon.

In the meantime, practice LaTeX and let me know what you find.

- Warren
 
  • #64
Let's see,

The third Pauli matrix is

/sigma_{3} = \left(\begin{array}{cc}1&amp;0\\0&amp;-1\end{array}\right}
 
  • #65
Hah! Missing terminator

The third Pauli matrix is

/sigma_{3} = \left(\begin{array}{cc}1&amp;0\\0&amp;-1\end{array}\right}
 
  • #66
I think you forgot a [ /tex]:

Originally posted by selfAdjoint
Let's see,

The third Pauli matrix is

\sigma_{3} = \left(\begin{array}{cc}1&amp;0\\0&amp;-1\end{array}\right)<br />

 
  • #67
Once more

The third Pauli matrix is

\sigma_{3} = \left(\begin{array}{cc}1&amp;0\\0&amp;-1\end{array}\right}<br />
 
  • #68
Hah! Missing terminator

The third Pauli matrix is

\sigma_{3} = \left(\begin{array}{cc}1&amp;0\\0&amp;-1\end{array}\right)
 
  • #69
Huh, That stuff before wasn't what I entered. Let's see if this one works
<br /> g_{c}(A^{k}) = k_{s(e)}^{-1}g_{e}(A)k_{t(e)}<br />

Okay! Wahooo!
 
Last edited:
  • #70
<br /> \begin{array}{| c | c |}1&amp;0\\0&amp;-1\end{array}<br />

<br /> \begin{array}<br /> {| c | c |}\hline 1&amp;0\\ \hline 0&amp;-1\\ \hline \end{array}<br />
 
Last edited:
  • #71
\phi

{\color{red} \phi}

{\it Let \phi denote the angle between ...}
 
  • #72
<br /> \begin{array}{|c|c|}1&amp;0\\0&amp;-1\end{array}<br />
 
  • #73
uh...i am not sure what i am supposed to do?
 
  • #74
What_sort of ^crazy stuff i_s th^is ?
 
  • #75
Originally posted by Zero
What_sort of ^crazy stuff i_s th^is ?
Nooo!

what^{\it sort}_{\it of}crazy^{\it stuff}_{\it is}this?
 
  • #76
well_k^o then

This is going to take some practice.
 
Last edited:
  • #77
i am unsure of how to use the latex script?
 
  • #78
You basically just type some latex code between [ tex] and [ /tex].

It allows math symbols and notation to be displayed neatly. You just need to learn how to code in tex:

"\alpha" results in \alpha
"g_{\mu \nu} --> g_{\mu \nu}

It will be a BIG plus for the science forums at PF.
 
  • #79
More trials:

<br /> \begin{array}{| c | c |}1&amp;0\\0&amp;-1\end{array}<br />
 
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  • #80
I'm getting the impresion that, if I get the message "Latex graphic is being generated, reload in a moment" the very first time I submit, the graphic never gets to be there... can that be the case?

There are a couple posts I made last night that are still in that state.
 
  • #81
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #82
Great_{\it I was}{}^{\it wondering}{}_{\it how to do}{}^{\it that!}

Great_{\it I {}was}{}^{\it wondering}{}_{\it how {}to{} do}{}^{\it that!}
 
Last edited:
  • #83
Trying spacers:

Great_{\it I\ was}{}^{\it wondering}{}_{\it how~to~do}{}^{\it that!}
 
  • #84
So when are we letting this go mainstream?
 
  • #85


Originally posted by Ambitwistor
For light-gray post backgrounds, the TeX images look okay, but their borders don't look so good against the posts with dark-gray backgrounds. Is there any way to get it to antialias to different background colors depending on which post it's in?
This kind of bugs me too -- but there's no way to determine exactly what background color to antialias to. I think the best solution to it might actually be to change the default color scheme for the site -- but I don't know what to do about that yet. It would look a little prettier if the antialiasing were exactly correct, I know.
It might be nice to supplement the default installation with some extra packages and fonts, like amsmath (amsfonts, amssymb), wasysym, marvosym, etc. Maybe we could even add some forum-specific user-defined macros of our own.
amsmath, amsfonts, and amssymb are already included -- give 'em a try. As far as the others, sure -- we can add them. Let me know.

- Warren
 
  • #86
Originally posted by Ambitwistor
Improperly aligned tensor indices:

R^a_{bcd}

Properly aligned tensor indices:

R^a{}_{bcd}
 
  • #87
Originally posted by Ambitwistor
Improperly aligned tensor indices:

R^a_{bcd}

Properly aligned tensor indices:

R^a{}_{bcd}
 
  • #88
Ambi, you're still having the problem where new replies not working, but edits working? Hold on just a sec...

- Warren
 
  • #89


Originally posted by Ambitwistor
<br /> \overline{x} <br /> \hat{x}<br /> \check{x} <br /> \tilde{x} <br /> \acute{x} <br /> \grave{x} <br /> \dot{x} <br /> \ddot{x} <br /> \breve{x} <br /> \bar{x} <br /> \vec{x}<br /> \underline{x}<br />

<br /> A\xleftarrow{n+\mu-1}B \xrightarrow[T]{n\pm i-1}C<br />
 
  • #90


Originally posted by Ambitwistor
<br /> \overline{y} <br /> \hat{y}<br /> \check{y} <br /> \tilde{y} <br /> \acute{y} <br /> \grave{y} <br /> \dot{y} <br /> \ddot{y} <br /> \breve{y} <br /> \bar{y} <br /> \vec{y}<br /> \underline{y}<br />

<br /> A\yleftarrow{n+\mu-1}B \yrightarrow[T]{n\pm i-1}C<br />
 

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