Why Does LaTeX Parser Not Always Generate an Error?

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  • Thread starter Thread starter Hurkyl
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the functionality of LaTeX parsing in private messages (PMs) and blogs on the Physics Forums website. Participants explore issues related to error generation when LaTeX is improperly formatted, the current limitations of LaTeX support in different areas of the forum, and potential improvements to the system.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that LaTeX is not enabled in private messages, leading to confusion when users believe their LaTeX is being processed correctly.
  • One participant suggests that a clearer error message should be provided when LaTeX is not enabled, rather than allowing users to think their input is valid.
  • Another participant recalls that replying to a message and using the preview function may show the intended LaTeX, although they express frustration with LaTeX functionality in blogs and PMs.
  • Concerns are raised about the forum software's handling of LaTeX errors and the need for clearer communication regarding its limitations.
  • There is a request for LaTeX support to be enabled in blogs, with some participants indicating that others share this desire.
  • A participant mentions developing a forum plugin that would allow LaTeX parsing across various content types, including blogs and messages, and shares a demo link.
  • Another participant expresses interest in being updated about the plugin's progress and inquires about other blogging platforms that support LaTeX.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that LaTeX is not functioning as expected in private messages and blogs, but there is no consensus on the best way to address these issues or whether the proposed plugin will resolve them.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the lack of LaTeX support in certain areas of the forum, the absence of clear error messaging, and unresolved technical details regarding the implementation of LaTeX parsing across different content types.

Hurkyl
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Someone sent me a private message with LaTeX in it. The images are never of the formula that the messanger wrote, but instead of a formula I've recently seen. Reloading the image doesn't help (that works for images in the main forums) -- and the image I actually see has changed over time.



If the LaTeX has errors in it, the parser doesn't always generate an error. For example,

\red 5
 
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Hurkyl said:
Someone sent me a private message with LaTeX in it. The images are never of the formula that the messanger wrote, but instead of a formula I've recently seen. Reloading the image doesn't help (that works for images in the main forums) -- and the image I actually see has changed over time.

That's because LaTeX isn't enabled in PMs. It would be nice if the person writing it simply got an error message telling them it's not enabled rather than letting them think it's working and sending you nothing of use.
 
If I recall correctly, if you REPLY to the message and PREVIEW, you'd see the intended message. If you send a reply with LaTeX, you could give these instructions to the recipient.

I've tried LaTeX in the blogs and in PMs... no luck.
I think LaTeX on the PF-blog has been broken as well.
 
Latex in blogs and Pm's are not enabled. Perhaps a note in the general rules might be prudent.
 
The main thing I'm worried about is that the forum software handles these cases incorrectly.
 
As it stands, this is a great website and a good place to search for and share information but is there any chance you could enable latex in the blogs? I recently posted a couple of blogs that included latex and immediately noticed a problem (interestingly, if you click on the latex image in the blog, the correct information in text is shown in the pop-up box so it still has some use). I did a search in this forum and it appears a number of people would like to use latex in blogs so are there any plans for it to be implemented into blogs in the near future?

regards
Steve
 
Last edited:
I have a forum plugin that parses LaTeX everywhere, including:
- posts
- blogs/comments
- messages
- previews
- signatures
- events
- notes
- announcements

It's not finished yet, but it's getting there. Here's a demo: http://www.bloo.us/forums

There's some technical details in parsing each content type, but otherwise it's done in the same place and the same way as forum posts.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
-Job- said:
I have a forum plugin that parses LaTeX everywhere, including:
- posts
- blogs/comments
- messages
- previews
- signatures
- events
- notes
- announcements

It's not finished yet, but it's getting there. Here's a demo: http://www.bloo.us/forums

Looks interesting -Job-. In the meantime, does anyone know of a decent blog website that supports LaTeX? I tried WordPress but kept getting a load of error messages when I tried to preview, I think there is a slight variation in how you organise the text.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

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