Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!usc!apple!bc
From: bc@Apple.COM (bill coderre)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.wanted
Subject: Re: Word processors vs typesetters  (was: Why Mac output ...)
Message-ID: <53375@apple.Apple.COM>
Date: 27 May 91 18:55:52 GMT
References: <ROLFL.91May23144946@hedda.uio.no> <20225@cs.utexas.edu>
Organization: Apple Computer Inc., Cupertino, CA
Lines: 27

Without getting into a bragging contest, let me just point out that
currently Microsoft Word (and probably other programs) provide almost
exactly the same level of fine control over placement and
document-wide formatting as TeX and its class.

I also want to point out that TeX can be as easy to use as many other
word formatters -- a good style can be afforded to documents that
simply use the section and chapter headers without any fiddling about.

TeX has one unique trick up its sleeve though: the annealing algorithm
of balancing spacing on lines. No other word formatter I know of uses
this strategy, including all of the commercial formatters for
professional book/magazine/news publishers I have seen. It is better
at doing the job, but it is also slower, less predictable, and
occasionally "blows up." The first reason is the probable one that
people don't use it more.

My point is simple: if I were writing for a journal, I wouldn't waste
my time re-duplicating their TeX formats in Microsoft Word. On the
other hand, I'd rather "just type" in Word and not worry about
formatting codes most any other day of the week.

If you like one kind better, then by all means use it. Freedom of
choice is what Macintosh is all about. You can even buy MacTex.

bill coderre
prefers low-technology to the point of only using monospaced fonts in
his posts