Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Path: utzoo!mnetor!seismo!rochester!cornell!batcomputer!eacj
From: eacj@batcomputer.tn.cornell.edu (Julian Vrieslander)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac
Subject: Re: Equations?
Message-ID: <1110@batcomputer.tn.cornell.edu>
Date: Fri, 22-May-87 19:29:56 EDT
Article-I.D.: batcompu.1110
Posted: Fri May 22 19:29:56 1987
Date-Received: Sat, 23-May-87 19:12:33 EDT
References: <6353@ism780c.UUCP> <1683@Shasta.STANFORD.EDU>
Reply-To: eacj@tcgould.tn.cornell.edu.UUCP (Julian Vrieslander)
Organization: Cornell Theory Center, Cornell University, Ithaca NY
Lines: 59

In article <1683@Shasta.STANFORD.EDU> mrh@Shasta.STANFORD.EDU (Marc Hannah) writes:
>In article <6353@ism780c.UUCP>, tim@ism780c.UUCP (Tim Smith) writes:
>> How do the various programs/DAs that allow you to put math in a
>> document ( e.g., MacEqn ) interface to the user?
>> For example, I think that I would like one that gives me a window
>> that I type an equation into in some sort of text format ( e.g.
>> eqn or TEX format ), and it displays the finished equation, which
>> could then be CUT and PASTEd into my MacWrite document.
>> Do any of them work this way?
>> Tim Smith			"Froh wie seine Sonnen fliegen
>  
>   Definately MacEqn doesn't work this way but I agree that would be
>the best way to implement one. TeX is so easy (and FAST) to specify
>an equation that using it would far outweigh the lack of interactivity.
>I find MacEqn tedious (and not particularly well formatted) for doing
>anything complex and minor changes turn into major hassles due to the
>lack of editing. If there is something better PLEASE tell us about it!
>David Gelphman  daveg%slacvm.bitnet@forsythe.stanford.edu

Funny you should ask..

I just installed a copy of MathWriter on my lab's hard disk today.  In case you
have not seen it, MathWriter is a very versatile equation processor, much easier
to use than MacEqn, and produces nice output from either the LaserWriter or the
ImageWriter.  It has a interactive graphic user interface (WYSIWYG).  Symbols
are selected by typing or clicking on palettes, whereupon they appear at the
selected location in a graphic window.  The logic for moving between structures
in an equation is more intuitive (and smarter) than MacEqn.  Unlike MacEqn, you
CAN edit an equation: just click on the equation to position the cursor where
you want it.  There are keyboard shortcuts for many of the palette selections,
and options for customizing the palettes and commands.  Finished equations are
transferred into documents by cut/paste via the clipboard.       

It is an application however, not a DA.  But it is shipped with Switcher, and
the documentation provides detailed instructions on how to set it up for optimum
use with Switcher and MacWrite.  The generalization to other word processors is
not hard - we are using it with WriteNow.

There are a lot of very clever features in this program, and anyone interested
in putting formulae in Mac documents should at least try to get a demo.  Check
it out even if you are used to dealing with embedded-command equation
processors.  Cost at my local dealer was $50.

The developer and publisher of MathWriter (Ted Sobel and Bob Cooke) are Ithaca
locals, but I have no connection with them other than having seen them
demonstrate their baby in seminars, etc.

For more information, contact

Cooke Publications, PO Box 4448, Ithaca NY, 14852
(800) 435-4438, ext. 15    in NY state
(800) 482-4438, ext. 15    elsewhere   


-- 
Julian Vrieslander    (607) 255-3594
Neurobiology & Behavior, W250 Mudd Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca NY 14853    
UUCP: {cmcl2,decvax,rochester,uw-beaver,ihnp4}!cornell!batcomputer!eacj
ARPA: eacj@tcgould.tn.cornell.edu     BITNET: eacj@CRNLTHRY