Dennis Tuchler wrote:
What is the difference between LaTeX and LyX? As I understand it, either is superior to a word processor if one is writing academic papers or books. Is that right?
Any information would be welcome.
LaTeX is a text formatter. You type a text file with markup in it. For example, to emphasise text you could use \texbf{emphasis}. It is older than SGML and not as well thought out, but has better support for typing scientific documents than SGML or any word processor. Many academic publishers (for example Elsevier science) ask for LaTeX files for papers that are to be published. LyX is a word processor that uses a modified version of LaTeX underneath. Some people prefer it because it is wysiwyg, but I don't think it yet supports everything you can do in LaTeX. LyX files aren't quite the same as LaTeX and so publishers might have more difficulty with them. Thompson were at one time distributing commercially a LyX-like package called Scientific Word. There was even a version that worked with maple. If you want to use LaTeX, you'll probably need a manual. LaTeX: A document preparation system, Leslie lamport, Addison Wesley, 1985 or The LaTeX companion, Goosens, Mittelbach and Samarin, Addison Wesley, 1993 are the ones to get. Sadly there isn't a free LaTeX manual yet, though it's on the GNU wish list. JDL