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From: gillies@m.cs.uiuc.edu
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac
Subject: Re: MSWord4 eqns stink
Message-ID: <8400231@m.cs.uiuc.edu>
Date: 22 Feb 90 17:35:00 GMT
References: <7748@tank.uchicago.edu>
Lines: 26
Nf-ID: #R:tank.uchicago.edu:7748:m.cs.uiuc.edu:8400231:000:1235
Nf-From: m.cs.uiuc.edu!gillies    Feb 22 11:35:00 1990


> But when it comes to embedding an equation, Microsoft should be able
> to do as well as TeX, since the algorithms are all published.  

This is unfair.  TeX was written with a singular purpose: To produce
good mathematics.  MS-Word was written with other purposes in mind,
and equations were added as an afterthought.  Knuth's students did the
research necessary to bring TeX to you.  They knew the algorithms
because they did the research.  I'd like to see you decipher the
algorithms for TeX.  Microsoft has to contend with the 72dpi
assumption, shitty math fonts from adobe, WYSWYG display, and several
other problems.

You haven't mentioned which printer you were using; this can make a
big difference.

I understand Microsoft is working to improve equations, and Microsoft
developers have even forwarded my own comments to the product manager
in charge of equations.  Microsoft has already fixed the fraction bars
to be slimmer on laser printers -- a big improvement.  Maybe if you
could provide some constructive criticism, your voice would be heard.


Don Gillies, Dept. of Computer Science, University of Illinois
1304 W. Springfield, Urbana, Ill 61801      
ARPA: gillies@cs.uiuc.edu   UUCP: {uunet,harvard}!uiucdcs!gillies