Should we warn an experienced poster for not using latex?

[jim mcnamara]

For a math proof - I would say yes. But I do clearly do not know where we stand on an adhoc halfway proof
Example:
https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/interesting-problem-in-connectedness.919385/

 

[Nugatory]

I'd try a PM along the lines of "C'mon, you've been around here long enough to know that you should be using Latex" first. If that doesn't bring about the desired improvement, try "Please... you're sending a message to all the newbies that they don't have to learn Latex, which makes our job harder".

Warn/infract only after gentle nudges don't work, and it's unlikely that it will be necessary. Most of our experienced posters are pretty much committed to trying to do the right thing.

 

[jim mcnamara]

Thank you. :) I tried the minor nudge already. So let's see if the OP takes pity on us.

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

I'd try a PM along the lines of "C'mon, you've been around here long enough to know that you should be using Latex" first.

I would phrase it a little softer and just link them to the LaTeX guide. LaTeX is not a rule.

 

[Orodruin]

Does it say anywhere that users should be using LaTeX and if they don't after some time it is an offense worth a warning? I cannot remember anything like that in the rules.

By all means, I would nudge him gently and tell him he is much more likely to get a useful reply after using LaTeX, but I do not think users should receive warnings for not doing so.

 

[Drakkith]

I'm on the side of not giving a warning. The member is only making it worse for themselves by making their posts harder to read. And I don't think it sends much of a message to the newbies. The overwhelming majority of them will never use LateX, have never heard about it, and don't make posts where it would help much anyways.

 

[Mark44]

I would phrase it a little softer and just link them to the LaTeX guide. LaTeX is not a rule.

I agree completely. You could also add that it would take less than a minute or two to get up to speed with subscripts and exponents, and not much more than that to get familiar with how fractions, integrals, and summations are formed.

I'm on the side of not giving a warning. The member is only making it worse for themselves by making their posts harder to read. And I don't think it sends much of a message to the newbies. The overwhelming majority of them will never use LateX, have never heard about it, and don't make posts where it would help much anyways.

I wouldn't give a warning, either, but maybe a PM. @Psychonaut is a math major, I'm pretty sure, so it would behoove him to add just a bit of polish to his posts, making them easier to read.

 

[jedishrfu]

I would phrase it a little softer and just link them to the LaTeX guide. LaTeX is not a rule.

Its a way of life!

 

[berkeman]

Looks like he is getting the message...

Ugh okay guys sorry I've put off learning latex too long I see now it's criticalness

 

[jedishrfu]

But he didnt use latex to post it.

 

[Orodruin]

But he didnt use latex to post it.

Because it would look like this:
$Ugh okay guys sorry I've put off learning latex too long I see now it's criticalness$

 

[fresh_42]

Because it would look like this:
$Ugh okay guys sorry I've put off learning latex too long I see now it's criticalness$

Not if he's doing it right:
$\text{ Ugh okay guys sorry I've put off learning latex too long I see now it's criticalness }$

 

[Orodruin]

Not if he's doing it right:
$\text{ Ugh okay guys sorry I've put off learning latex too long I see now it's criticalness }$

Well, quite obviously. This takes away the humor though.