TeX and LaTeX Resources

The mathematics department has a special interest in promoting the use of TeX and LaTeX for writing pretty much anything —papers, theses, homework, even posters!

We have a Tips & Tricks document that gives you some hints about the trickier aspects of using TeX and LaTeX.

HMC Classes

The department has a number of locally developed LaTeX classes for use in formatting documents.

These classes include:

LaTeX Packages

The department has developed the following package for internal use.

• cmtty.sty
• The cmtty package specifies Computer Modern Typewriter as the “typewriter style” font. It is useful when using font packages that set the default monospace font to use Courier.

Using the Package

Simply add the line `\usepackage{cmtty}` to the preamble of your document.

Online Resources

• TUG‘s Getting Started with TeX, LaTeX, and Friends.
• Links to lots of resources for getting started learning and using Tex, LaTeX, and, well, Friends!
• TUG’s TeX and LaTeX Documentation.
• Formatting Information: A Beginner’s Guide to LaTeX, by Peter Flynn, Silmaril Associates
• A good, detailed, introductory guide covering the use of TeX and LaTeX on Macs, Windows, and Unix/Linux systems. Available in HTML and PDF.
• CTAN—the Comprehensive TeX Archive Network
• CTAN maintains a comprehensive archive of TeX and LaTeX packages, formats, fonts, document classes, documentation, and other materials, including complete TeX systems.
• The TEX FAQ
• Answers many frequently asked questions about TeX and LaTeX. A good first place to check if you’re having problems.
• Detexify LaTeX Handwritten Symbol Recognition
• Cool site that lets you sketch a symbol using your mouse, then suggests LaTeX symbols that are close to what you’ve drawn. Often a good way to figure out what command to use for a particular symbol.
• Comprehensive LaTeX Symbol List
• A document showing a huge array of symbols, the commands that produce them, and information about the packages that provide those commands. (Available on many TeX systems as `symbols-a4.pdf` or `symbols-letter.pdf`. Try running `texdoc symbols` for a viewable version or `texdoc symbols-letter` for a printable version.)
• LaTeX Search
• Allows you to search for equations in Springer journals and gives you the LaTeX code to create those equations. Should be useful both for referencing work in Springer journals and for getting sample code for equations that are similar to what you’re trying to write.
• `comp.text.tex`
• `comp.text.tex` is the official Usenet newsgroup for discussing TeX and LaTeX questions. Chances are that any problems you’re having, someone else has already had, asked about on `ctt`, and gotten an answer. You can search the newsgroup with Google.
• Google is probably your best bet for finding information outside`comp.text.tex`, as well.