Word uses about the most non portable format you could ever imagine, and there are actually some reasons for that. In summary, many documents use a default font, and when sent to another computer, that computer's default fonts are often used. Tabs, and page setups affect the layout, as does the choice of printer. What is ported and what is not may depend on the version of Word. Word, along with Microsoft are truly one of the many mysteries of the universe.
Hence why I use acrobat distriller or whatever for my default printer. If documents are to be transmitted, then PDF is a better choice, and PDF documents are capable of being edited, and exporting back to a word processor. All my material is stored both in Word and Acrobat forms, and for Word, I use .DOC or .RTF, I do not use the latest options available, why create even more problems. These people are using the wrong tool if portability is desired, and any workarounds will generate new problems. Good luck. Simon --- Frank King <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Dear Doug, > > I am so riddled with prejudices about type-setting > equations, and mathematics in general, that it is > hard for me to give a temperate reply to your > enquiry... > > > Material often comes ... in Word, and it seems > > that equations do not transfer reliably. > > In my view, the Microsoft Equation Editor that > goes with Word is an utter abomination but I'll > end the rant there before I get carried away! > > Again, in my view, Donald Knuth was the first > person really to understand the subtleties of > type-setting Mathematics and it took him about > 10 years to come up with a definitive answer, > which is TeX and its derivatives. > > In the TeXbook, Knuth goes into considerable > detail (albeit in a rather disconnected way) > about the way Mathematical type-setting using > hand-composition evolved over the centuries > and the subject has a fascinating history which > goes back to the earliest days of printing. > > This doesn't address your friend's query and we > are indeed rather off topic but I share her > concern because Mathematics and Word don't mix > at all well. > > Sundials are not merely precision astronomical > instruments; they should look good too. So it > is with mathematics; every expression should be > type-set as elegantly as humanly possible. > > Best wishes > > Frank > > No Microsoft products were used in the preparation > or dispatch of this message. > > --------------------------------------------------- > https://lists.uni-koeln.de/mailman/listinfo/sundial > > --------------------------------------------------- https://lists.uni-koeln.de/mailman/listinfo/sundial
