UKTeX Digest Friday, 12 Jul 1991 Volume 91 : Issue 28 Today's Topics: {Q&A}: DVI (DVIEPS) Drivers for MSDOS Environment TeX for the Atari-ST? More on TeX-PS integration TeX package for Arabic? Re: Dial in lines to Aston Re: Victor Eijkhout's `TeX ruler': cmrule.dvi Help with obtaining some font libraries Re: Help with obtaining some font libraries {Announcements}: pubs Washington Tape Administrivia: Moderators: Peter Abbott (Aston University) and David Osborne (University of Nottingham) Contributions: UKTeX@uk.ac.tex Administration, subscription and unsubscription requests: UKTeX-request@uk.ac.tex ------------------------------------------------------------ Date: Fri, 14 Jun 91 12:11:31 +0700 From: emct13@uk.ac.edinburgh.castle Subject: DVI (DVIEPS) Drivers for MSDOS Environment I am looking for DVI drivers for 24 pin dot matrix printers (epson lq860 or IBM proprinter X24E). The machine I am using is 16 MHz 386SX IBM compatible computer. Is it possible to get an index of the uk.ac.tex archive for the PC/MSDOS environment? How do can I get the files from the archive e.g. by e-mail? enock ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 01 Jul 91 12:14:45 From: DO9EA00@uk.ac.manchester-poly.computing-services.sysa Subject: TeX for the Atari-ST? I have been informed that you are responsible for distributing copies of TeX and related software through your e-mail servive (by Mark@Lancs.pdsoft). Please could you inform me if a copy of TeX exists for the ST and how to obtain it. Yours David Ingram Computational Fluid Dynamics Group Department of Mathematics and Physics Manchester Polytechnic tel : 061 247 3585 (direct line) ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 05 Jul 91 20:14:42 -0800 From: siebenma%edu.berkeley.math@uk.ac.nsfnet-relay Subject: More on TeX-PS integration Mark J Hewitt writes on his TeX-PS integration problems: > > The background is that we are mandating LaTeX for > use in the production of design documents, user > documents and all other out-bound written materials > to our customers. CLEARLY, THERE IS A NEED TO > PROVIDE A STRAIGHTFORWARD MECHANISM WITH WHICH TO > CREATE AND INTEGRATE DIAGRAMS. > > [...] > > Hardware - well, we don't really have X, but we > have a few Macs (but we are trying to get away > from those!), and more DOS machines. We run TeX > on UNIX platforms, so our VMS and DOS users have > to learn how to use it there. > As for the integration, your various and changing platforms suggest to me that you should use a TeX-PS integration package valid for essentially all drivers, not just the two you mention explicitly. That is main virtue of my TeX-PS integration package BoxedEPSF.tex. It works for for all flavors of TeX as well. The BoxedEPSF package has recently been posted on the UKTeX archive (Aston) [.boxedepsf]boxepsf.doc [.boxedepsf]boxepsf.tex European users do not have ftp access to the Aston Archive. But there is a good ftp source on the continent: --- ftp 130.84.128.100 (alias rsovax.circe.fr); login: anonymous; password: ; directory [anonymous.siebenmann] From the American continent try: --- ftp 28.146.7.200 (alias shape.mps.ohio-state.edu); login: anonymous; password: ; directory pub/osutex Sorry to hear you will be abandoning Macintosh; but on the other hand, I hear the Macintosh folks will be designing the next generation of PC's! For the sake of other readers, I mention an enhanced Macintosh version in the UKTeX archive that deals with the Macintosh PICT norm graphics (of MacDraw) as well as PS: [.boxedepsf]artdealer.hqx [.boxedepsf]boxedart.doc [.boxedepsf]boxedart.tex It uses the concept of a graphics description file in conjunction with a Mac program called *ArtDealer*. This system is recommended for compactness and speed. Unfortunately, at present, only the Textures driver can handle the PICT norm. Graphics description files for Postscript (EPSF) graphics can however be exported; what is more, most PICT files can be converted to EPSF. Another extension is now available; this one small and in pure TeX: LabelFig.tex is a simple "paste-up" tool that lets you conveniently add TeX labels to imported graphics or combine graphics. Request it from siebenmann@LALCLS.decnet.cern.ch if it is not yet posted. The BoxedEPSF package leaves the all-important task of graphics creation to other dedicated systems. On the Mac, the major PostScript drawing tools are Adobe Illustrator and Aldus Freehand. On the PC, Micrografx Designer has been highly recommended by B.K. Horn. For a different more self-contained approach, perhaps you would want to try TeXDraw (linked to dvips) recently posted on UKTeX (author by Peter Kabal ). You can port Rokicki's C language driver dvips if you move to a less civilised TeX site. Laurent Siebenmann Mathematique, Bat. 425, Univ de Paris-Sud, 91405-Orsay, France siebenmann@LALCLS.decnet.cern.ch lcs@matups.matups.fr ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 08 Jul 91 21:07:19 +0000 From: Lama Hashem Subject: TeX package for Arabic? Could you tell me if a package exists for the Arabic Language? And if so, does it have Arabic input... i.e. uses Arabic characters? Your help would be very much appreciated. With Thanks, Lama Hashem(Exeter University). ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 09 Jul 91 16:54:50 +0000 From: Peter Abbott (Aston University) Subject: Re: Dial in lines to Aston In message 508 of Tue, 25 Jun 91 14:02 BST, "MAIL::CBS%UK.AC.EDINBURGH.COMPUTER-SCIENCE.TARDIS::APG"@UK.AC.ASTON wrote: > Can you please send me details of the dial-up lines available to > access the tex-archive. There are mentions of them but no real > information in particular phone number and speed. > > Andrew Grant > apg@uk.ac.ed.cs-tardis We are currently having a battle with BT to change the service available on the dial in lines. There are 4 lines accesible on 021 359 8291 (do not try dialling the other lines). They are set at 1200 baud or with MNP5 working will support 4800 baud (running at 2400 baud). Press return and at the prompt type TEX (return) It sometimes takes a long time to respond. It is not unknown for other users to leave the lines in a mess. If that happens in the day ring the operators (021 359 3611 x 4258). in the evening security will answer and may be able to contact the operators for you. Peter ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 10 Jul 91 12:50:36 +0100 From: Eberhard Mattes Subject: Re: Victor Eijkhout's `TeX ruler': cmrule.dvi D. Eckersley writes: > Has anyone else had trouble with CMRULE.DVI? I extracted it from the > archive file > > [TEX-ARCHIVE.UTILS.RULERS]CMRULE.BOO > > but I get the following when I apply DVISCR (from EMTEX) to it: > > ' TeX output 1991.03.02:2119' > > *** Fatal error 2105: DVI file corrupted (bad postamble) I got cmrule.boo from the Aston server, decoded it with msbpct (of 3/11/86) and found three additional bytes at the end of cmrule.dvi: 00 00 1A Unfortunately the emTeX drivers require the dvi file to end in at least 4 bytes of value 223. The DVI driver standard says: * The $i$ byte is followed by four or more bytes that are all equal to * the decimal number 223 (i.e., \O{337} in octal). \TeX\ puts out four * to seven of these trailing bytes, until the total length of the file * is a multiple of four bytes, since this works out best on machines * that pack four bytes per word; but any number of 223's is allowed, as * long as there are at least four of them. In effect, 223 is a sort of * signature that is added at the very end. **** * This curious way to finish off a \str{DVI} file makes it feasible for * \str{DVI}-reading programs to find the postamble first, on most * computers, even though \TeX\ wants to write the postamble last. Most * operating systems permit random access to individual words or bytes * of a file, so the \str{DVI} reader can start at the end and skip * backwards over the 223's until finding the identification byte. [...] My interpretation is that there may be no other bytes after the final byte of value 223. To fix cmrule.dvi (and other files mangled by msbmkb/msbpct) use hexed or a similar utility to shorten the file by 3 bytes. Maybe D. Eckersley's problem can be solved that way. Eberhard Mattes ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 11 Jul 91 15:13:38 +0000 From: Robert Tregidgo Subject: Help with obtaining some font libraries GETTING EMTEX TO PRINT WITH A 24 PIN LQ-500 COMPATIBLE PRINTER I recently obtained a copy of emtex, and installed most of it successfully on my pc. The only thing I can't get to work is the printer driver for my LQ-500 compatible printer (180dpi). The copy of emtex I have, came with a set of font library files labelled LJ_*.FLI, these I presumed are actually for a laser jet printer. Do I need to order a new set of font disks, or can I convert the existing font libraries using the fontlib.exe program? I have tried the latter, but don't think that it is correct. There do not seem to be any other font library files on the aston TeX database. How do I get them?????? I would appreciate any help. Robert Tregidgo - email treg@essex.uk.ac ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 11 Jul 91 20:03:14 +0100 From: schoepf%de.zib-berlin.sc@uk.ac.nsfnet-relay Subject: Re: Help with obtaining some font libraries Robert Tregidgo wrote: GETTING EMTEX TO PRINT WITH A 24 PIN LQ-500 COMPATIBLE PRINTER I recently obtained a copy of emtex, and installed most of it successfully on my pc. The only thing I can't get to work is the printer driver for my LQ-500 compatible printer (180dpi). The copy of emtex I have, came with a set of font library files labelled LJ_*.FLI, these I presumed are actually for a laser jet printer. Do I need to order a new set of font disks, or can I convert the existing font libraries using the fontlib.exe program? I have tried the latter, but don't think that it is correct. There do not seem to be any other font library files on the aston TeX database. How do I get them?????? There are a number of other .FLI files. I will try to get them to the Aston archive, but please don't expect them too soon. Shuffling megabytes through either of the gateways without corrupting anything takes a lot of time. The primary source for emtex is the DANTE server at Stuttgart, in directory soft/tex/machines/pc/emtex. It is accessible through Internet: rusinfo.rus.uni-stuttgart.de [129.69.1.12], or by mail: . I announced the mail based service in a message to the UKTeX digest some weeks ago. Dr. Rainer Schoepf DANTE coordinator for archive servers Konrad-Zuse-Zentrum ,,Ich mag es nicht, wenn fuer Informationstechnik Berlin sich die Dinge so frueh Heilbronner Strasse 10 am Morgen schon so D-1000 Berlin 31 dynamisch entwickeln!'' Federal Republic of Germany or ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 05 Jul 91 08:29:00 +0000 From: malcolm Subject: pubs - ------------------------------------------------ Announcement - ------------------------------------------------ Almost a year ago the ukTeXug held a fonts workshop at Royal Holloway and Bedford New College. All who participated though this was a `good thing'. Although none of the ukTeXug meetings ever produce proceedings, or much more than handouts for those attending, this workshop was recorded. Fortunately audio, not video: six hours of the elegant Chris Rowley and the urbane Dominik Wujastyk on home video would rival the snooker in mind boggling levels of boredom. Decidated listners to the Archers, like myself, will be able to handle this audio version without qualm. So there you have it. Four ninety minute audio tapes! The quintessence of erudition at the University of London at Windsor. I have one master and one copy of the tapes. I would love to put them in the Aston Archive in suitable digital format, but perhaps we aren't quite there yet. In the meantime, if you really want to experience this phenomenon, contact me to borrow a set of tapes. malcolm clark (in real life, malcolm clark) malcolmc@pcl.mole tel: 071 435 8983 and 071 911 5000 x3622 fax: 071 433 3576 and 071 911 5093 PO Box 1897 IRS London NW6 1DQ 115 New Cavendish Street London W1M 8JS - ----------------------------------------------------------------- on behalf of the uk TeX users group. - ----------------------------------------------------------------- never mind the quality, marvel at the length! - ----------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 12 Jul 91 11:24:52 +0000 From: Peter Abbott (Aston University) Subject: Washington Tape A tape arrived from Washington towards the end of June 1991. All tapes sent from Aston as of now are therefore copies of this latest tape. Peter ------------------------------ UK TeX ARCHIVE at ASTON UNIVERSITY *** JANET Interactive and NIFTP access *** Host: uk.ac.tex (JANET DTE 000020120091) Username: public Password: public [Sorry, no Internet ftp access is available yet] *** Mail server *** Send mail to TeXserver@uk.ac.tex (JANET) or TeXserver@tex.ac.uk (rest of the world) with message body containing the word HELP *** FILES OF INTEREST *** [tex-archive]00readme.txt [tex-archive]00directory.list [tex-archive]00directory.size [tex-archive]00directory_dates.list [tex-archive]00last30days.files This year's UKTeX back issues are stored in the archive in directory [tex-archive.digests.uktex.91] This year's TeXhax back issues are stored in the archive in directory [tex-archive.digests.texhax.91] Latest TeXhax: #30 TeXMaG back issues are stored in the archive in directory [tex-archive.digests.tex-mag] Latest TeXMaG: V5N3 *** MEDIA DISTRIBUTIONS *** Washington Unix TeX distribution tape (latest copy dated 28 March 1990) Contains: TeX 2.993(==3.0), LaTeX 2.09, Metafont 1.9 (2.0), plus many utilities suitable for Unix 4.2/4.3BSD & System V tar format, 1600bpi, blockfactor 20, 1 file (36Mb) Copies available on: One 2400ft tape sent with return labels AND return postage to Aston OR One Quarter-Inch Cartridge (DC600A or DC6150) sent with envelope AND return postage to Nottingham (addresses below). A VMS backup of the archive requires two 2400ft tapes at 6250bpi. A VMS backup of TeX 2.991 plus PSprint requires one 2400fttape. Exabyte 8mm tapes: same contents available as 1/2in tapes. Following tape types available: SONY Video 8 cassette P5 90MP, MAXELL Video 8 cassette P5-90, TDK Video 8 cassette P5-90MPB OzTeX (for Macintosh): Send 10 UNFORMATTED 800K disks with return postage. emTeX (for MS-DOS): Send 11 UNFORMATTED 1.44Mb or 18 (EIGHTEEN!) 720K 3.5" disks; or 12 UNFORMATTED 5.25" disks; with return postage. emTeX is now distributed with a copy of `Baskerville' and documentation. Please therefore send the disks in packing of A4 size or enclose an A4 envelope. *** POSTAGE RATES *** (all prices in Pounds Sterling) (For Aston orders, make cheques payable to Aston University) 0.5" tapes: UK: 2.50 (one tape), 5.00 (two tapes). Europe: 5.00 (one tape), 9.00 (two tapes). Outside Europe please enquire. 8mm tapes: UK: 1.00, Europe: 2.00. Quarter-inch cartridges: UK: 1.00, Europe: 2.00. Diskettes: Quantity/Size Europe World UK 1st UK 2nd 18/3.5" 3.10 5.10 1.40 1.10 11/3.5" 1.80 2.90 0.80 0.65 18/5.25" 1.20 2.00 0.60 0.50 11/5.25" 0.80 1.30 0.50 0.35 *** POSTAL ADDRESSES *** (Please include SELF-ADDRESSED ADHESIVE LABELS for return postage). Peter Abbott Computing Service, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET David Osborne Cripps Computing Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK (for Quarter-inch cartridges ONLY) (Please include stamps for return postage) *** UK TeX USERS GROUP *** For details, contact Malcolm Clark or Geeti Granger IRS John Wiley & Sons Polytechnic of Central London Baffins Lane 115 New Cavendish Street Chichester London W1M 8JS W Sussex PO19 1UD email: malcolmc@uk.ac.pcl.mole End of UKTeX Digest [Volume 91 Issue 28] ****************************************