Preview button not working as expected

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the functionality of the Preview button on the Physics Forums, specifically regarding its handling of LaTeX equations. Participants express their experiences and frustrations with the feature, noting inconsistencies in how the compiled output is displayed before posting threads.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants report that the Preview button does not display compiled LaTeX equations, requiring them to reload the browser tab to see the output.
  • One participant mentions that the issue seems to occur randomly, suggesting it may be related to network or browser problems rather than a fault with the forum itself.
  • Another participant compares the forum's functionality unfavorably with Mathematics Stack Exchange, where compiled equations appear immediately, expressing disappointment with the current situation on Physics Forums.
  • A participant notes that the preview function does not load MathJax unless it has been called for a previous formula in the thread, identifying this as a known bug.
  • There is a suggestion that the forum administrators should address this issue, as it is deemed important for user experience.
  • One participant indicates that reloading the page does not resolve the issue for equations in specific sections like "Homework statement" and "Relevant Equations."

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that there is an issue with the Preview button and its handling of LaTeX equations. However, there is no consensus on the cause of the problem or whether it can be easily fixed.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention various experiences with the Preview functionality, indicating that the issue may depend on specific conditions such as the presence of previous formulas in the thread.

issacnewton
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When I create a thread and enter all Latex equations, I want to see how it would appear before posting the thread. So, when I click Preview button, I do not see the compiled thread. I have to reload the browser tab to see the Latex output. Are other people seeing this problem ?

Thanks
 
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IssacNewton said:
When I create a thread and enter all Latex equations, I want to see how it would appear before posting the thread. So, when I click Preview button, I do not see the compiled thread. I have to reload the browser tab to see the Latex output. Are other people seeing this problem ?

Thanks
I see it often and it seems to come and go randomly. Because of its random behavior, I assume that it is due to some network / browser issues and not something that would be easy for Physics Forums to address. I have just gotten used to routinely reloading the tab when that happens.
 
Ok, I did not know that. This is a great forum and its sad that its happening here. I also post sometimes on Mathematics Stack Exchange. On their site, one can see compiled equations immediately at the bottom. So, the output is really beautiful there. But, other problem with that site is that people downvote/delete question if community doesn't think its good or repeated.

On this site, admins really should try to go to the bottom of this issue.
 
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IssacNewton said:
When I create a thread and enter all Latex equations, I want to see how it would appear before posting the thread. So, when I click Preview button, I do not see the compiled thread. I have to reload the browser tab to see the Latex output. Are other people seeing this problem ?

Thanks

This is a known issue:

mfb said:
The preview doesn't load MathJax unless it's already being called for a previous formula in the thread, that's a known bug. Checking the preview function in a thread that has formulas should be fine. If you want to start a thread with many formulas you could test it using the preview function in an existing thread with formulas.
 
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I did not know about the bug. Thanks pasmith. But can't this bug be fixed ? This is very important forum.
 
I just had the same problem. I went to "Homework Help Guidelines" and "Learn LaTeX for Math Equations" first before I googled this site. Maybe it would help to give a hint there.
In my case reloading does not help for equations in "Homework statement" and "Relevant Equations"
 

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