[K12OSN] Re: Software to do X
Frank Samuelson
fws4 at cdrh.fda.gov
Mon Nov 22 11:14:57 UTC 2004
Terrell Prudé, Jr. wrote:
>>
>> 2) "Math-Type" -- I guess this is a program that creates tests for
>> math teachers. Are there any test-creation programs available that
>> work well? I'm talking printed-out tests, not online or computer
>> based tests. (To me, just using OpenOffice seemed to fit the bill,
>> but apparently the teachers are used to some specialty program
>> designed for such a thing)
>>
>
> Yes, there is. Have you ever considered using LaTeX for this purpose?
> A friend of mine at the University of Washington converted the entire
> Math Dept. there over to using LaTeX--remember, these are all ego-maniac
> Ph. D. professors here--and not only did they convert to using LaTeX,
> but they now swear by it and won't consider anything that isn't as
> good. They use it for everything--exams, worksheets, you name it--even
> books (some of them have written their own mathematics books). Before
> that, they'd used Microsoft Office for this purpose, and their attitude
> was, "I don't have time to learn any 'new technology'; I have to do my
> research and teach! I've got a *job* to do!"
This is very true.
LaTeX and TeX are what real type setters and
mathematicians use to typeset their documents.
It looks much better than anything out of a Microsoft
program. It's also significantly faster than point'n'click
once you get good at it. Like w/ all good open source
programs, if you don't know how to do something, the
web is littered w/ documentation.
For those who can't live w/o a GUI, there's lyx.
More information about the K12OSN
mailing list