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Re: why .ps ?
Posted:
Aug 5, 2000 12:31 PM
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On 5 Aug 2000, QSCGZ wrote:
>
> why is most mathematical online-information only available in
> .ps or .dvi encrypted format ???
Because it's easy to form a .ps or a .dvi file from a LaTeX
file. Besides, it's not really encrypted -- just download any of a number
of free viewers (like Ghostview).
> I assume , that .ps can handle pictures , greek letters , integral
> symbol etc. , but there are usually ways to do this in ASCII as well ,
> with only small decrease of readability.
Including graphs of results, or complicated mathematical expressions, is
easier with .ps files.
> Most .ps files could also be written in text format , but unfortunately
> text versions are usually not made available.
Ask the person who holds the .ps file if they can send you the LaTeX file.
> e.g. the sci.math posts here come in .txt format. I've never seen
> .ps versions of sci.math posts attached , so it seems possible to do it
> in .txt.
>
>
> - .ps files cannot be searched for keywords.
> - .ps files cannot be viewed online (AFAIK)
Ghostview.
> - it's difficult to download and install the (huge and complicated)
> .ps-viewing software.
Ghostview took about two minutes to install, and it wasn't very difficult
at all.
> - .ps files are much larger , which is bad for downloading and archiving.
Then ask for .tex files.
> - printing .ps files takes much longer on many printers (I still
> don't know, how to print them in suitable format on my printer)
> - good conversion software ps-->txt is not available AFAIK
Ghostview, Edit->Text Extract.
> it seems to me , that mathematicians use .ps as an attribute of elitist
> behaviour ; to make it difficult for outsiders to enter their domain.
No, it's more that ways to process LaTeX files into dvi (which are
supposed to be, and AFAIK are, DeVice Independent) and from dvi into ps.
> What we need is a good,free .ps-->.txt conversion software , and more
> mathematicians who are willing to provide their papers in .txt format.
You can't include figures and diagrams in .txt format.
> They can still provide them in .ps format too , if they really want.
> But .txt should be the standard.
No, LaTeX .tex files should be standard ... and that's what journals
request IIRC. .ps files are graphical representations of the .tex files.
Steve L
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