703
submitted 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) by renzev@lemmy.world to c/linuxmemes@lemmy.world

Context: LaTeX is a typesetting system. When compiling a document, a lot of really in-depth debugging information is printed, which can be borderline incomprehensible to anyone but LaTeX experts. It can also be a visual hindrance when looking for important information like errors.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[-] Treczoks@lemmy.world 13 points 4 months ago

If you work with LaTeX for five years and still have no idea what a hbox is or what that message means, you should not consider naming this "experience".

[-] BigDanishGuy@sh.itjust.works 4 points 4 months ago

Ok, go on then, tell the class what underfull hbox is. And no googling!

[-] Treczoks@lemmy.world 4 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

I already explained this in my post of yesterday in this thread. I've been the TeX admin at our university in my student times. I've been creating styles and \shipout macros. I know this stuff inside out. Heck, I've even read good parts of the source to understand some finer points.

[-] meliaesc@lemmy.world 10 points 4 months ago

And you're expecting everyone to have this amount of experience?

[-] BigDanishGuy@sh.itjust.works 7 points 4 months ago

But of course, how else could you describe yourself as having experience with TeX? /s

I think our TeX savvy lemming here confuses a knowledge level in the expert/consultant sphere with "having experience".

Having worked with LaTeX on and off for 15 years, and on occasions developing TeX macros (ie copy pasting stuff from stackoverflow and shotgun debugging it until it sorta works) and creating various graphics with PGF/TikZ, I would describe myself as having extended experience with the TeX environment. But I still can't tell you exactly what causes \hbox underfull without looking it up... Probably because it's never caused a failure to output my documents.

[-] renzev@lemmy.world 2 points 4 months ago

Yes? Experience and skill are good things and should be encouraged!

[-] Treczoks@lemmy.world 1 points 4 months ago

Well, you can use a tool, and acquire just enough knowledge to use it without too many accidents. And then simply give up on progressing any farther. Or you can keep digging into the mountain of knowledge to improve your skills farther and deeper. It is always your choice.

[-] agelord@lemmy.world 4 points 4 months ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

"Using LaTeX" and "programing with LaTeX" are very different things. For most people, LaTeX is a means to an end, for you LaTeX is your whole job. You're the exception, and exception can not be an example.

this post was submitted on 11 Jul 2024
703 points (98.8% liked)

linuxmemes

21281 readers
266 users here now

Hint: :q!


Sister communities:


Community rules (click to expand)

1. Follow the site-wide rules

2. Be civil
  • Understand the difference between a joke and an insult.
  • Do not harrass or attack members of the community for any reason.
  • Leave remarks of "peasantry" to the PCMR community. If you dislike an OS/service/application, attack the thing you dislike, not the individuals who use it. Some people may not have a choice.
  • Bigotry will not be tolerated.
  • These rules are somewhat loosened when the subject is a public figure. Still, do not attack their person or incite harrassment.
  • 3. Post Linux-related content
  • Including Unix and BSD.
  • Non-Linux content is acceptable as long as it makes a reference to Linux. For example, the poorly made mockery of sudo in Windows.
  • No porn. Even if you watch it on a Linux machine.
  • 4. No recent reposts
  • Everybody uses Arch btw, can't quit Vim, and wants to interject for a moment. You can stop now.
  •  

    Please report posts and comments that break these rules!


    Important: never execute code or follow advice that you don't understand or can't verify, especially here. The word of the day is credibility. This is a meme community -- even the most helpful comments might just be shitposts that can damage your system. Be aware, be smart, don't fork-bomb your computer.

    founded 1 year ago
    MODERATORS