Latex Problems: Is Anyone Else Experiencing Issues?

  • Context: LaTeX 
  • Thread starter Thread starter epenguin
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around issues users are experiencing with the LaTeX functionality on the Physics Forums site. Participants describe problems with the WYSIWYG preview, editing posts, and the overall reliability of LaTeX rendering. The scope includes user experiences, technical challenges, and potential workarounds.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • One participant reports that the WYSIWYG version in the Preview Post does not update correctly, showing only the first formula written.
  • Another participant suggests that changes made to LaTeX do occur but do not display until the page is refreshed after editing or posting.
  • A different participant expresses frustration that refreshing the page does not resolve their issues, indicating that edits do not take effect as expected.
  • Concerns are raised about the practicality of the current LaTeX handling, with one user mentioning that it is time-consuming and inefficient to edit LaTeX posts.
  • One participant mentions that they did not experience these issues in the past, suggesting a change in the software's functionality.
  • A later reply notes that a non-image LaTeX solution is currently being tested, providing a link for further information.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that there are significant issues with the LaTeX functionality, but there is no consensus on the cause or a definitive solution. Multiple competing views on the effectiveness of workarounds and the reliability of the system remain.

Contextual Notes

Some limitations include unclear assumptions about the software's performance, the dependence on user actions for updates, and unresolved technical steps in the editing process.

epenguin
Science Advisor
Messages
3,638
Reaction score
1,014
Is anyone else finding problems with how the site is handling Latex?

Firstly I tend not to see be able to see the WYSIWYG version in Preview Post. What I see is I think the first formula I wrote which does not change as I edit it. Only when I actually post do I see what it looks like.

Then I when I edit an post the edited version, nothing has changed, or not all my edits appear. I finally get it right just doing the same thing several times, sometimes I may delete some symbols and then put them back. Eventually they have come right for me, but this thing is so cumbersome and annoying I cannot go on using it.

I do not see how it could be my computer, keyboard or whatever. Has anyone else had these problems?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I delayed answering this until I had tried again. I got no better by using the refresh button. It really is very difficult to make it change from what you first wrote. I think I even saved my post in word, edited it there, deleted my post, went out of PF, re-opened PF, pasted in my modified post - and it still did not take on my edits but seemed to remember my previous post or actually made it a bit worse. It took an unconscionable time. It seems other posters have similar difficulty.

Maybe there is some maintenance problem. I cannot imagine anyone selling or giving software that impractical. I shall use the symbols that I and now several posters have in their sigs. which hopefully will cover most needs, though it is not so good-looking. I did not experience this problem when I previously used tex a few months ago. It is now prohibitive to me in time to edit tex and helpers will not use something that seems to waste their time.
 

Similar threads

LaTeX 1. Colour while using ##\LaTeX## 2. Preview first time
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
LaTeX How Can I Preview LaTeX Formulas in the Forum?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
LaTeX Solving Latex Posting Problem on ForumThreads
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
LaTeX Why Doesn't Preview Compile Latex Equations?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
LaTeX Preview renders latex but posted message does not
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
LaTeX Preview button not working as expected
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
LaTeX Latex Bug: Colors Not Showing for Some Users?
  • · Replies 26 ·
Replies
26
Views
2K
LaTeX Latex commands get wiped out when editing
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
2K
LaTeX Why is my Latex not working properly after recent changes?
  • · Replies 36 ·
2
Replies
36
Views
3K
Praise Issues with LaTex
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K