LaTeX Problems with previewing posts that use LaTeX

  • Thread starter Thread starter NoPhysicsGenius
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Latex
Click For Summary
Users are experiencing issues with the "Preview Post" function when using LaTeX, where changes do not reflect in the preview, leading to confusion and frustration. The problem seems to stem from browser caching, particularly in Internet Explorer, which can display outdated LaTeX images. Some users have found that refreshing the page helps, while ensuring proper formatting of LaTeX code is crucial. The forum administrators are looking into modifying server settings to address these caching issues. Overall, the final submission of posts appears to display correctly despite preview discrepancies.
NoPhysicsGenius
Messages
58
Reaction score
0
Say that I have the following LaTeX equation:

x = x_0 + v_{0x}t

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:
Physics news on Phys.org
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.)
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
4K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K