I know there are some LaTeX fans here in Chch (man, that sounds sooo dodgy). I have decided that LaTeX is a Good Thing, but it's going to take me a while to get into it and move away from WYSIWYG (What You See Is All You Get).
The particular catalyst for this resolution is that my wife's PDA (a venerable Palm III) has expired. Mine is also due for a replacement but so far the sticky tape is holding up well.. We could buy new ones, but we sat down to figure out how we use them, and what we really want one for. It turns out that we could get by with a paper system, backed by a computer-based repository. In the old days was a program called Portex, which was a 'desktop PDA' for want of a better term. You could print out all of its data to Filofax-sized paper, and the program would format notes, addresses, diaries etc. to fit the page. The paper was in fanfold form (gasp) with microPerf edges (double gasp), and was pre-punched with the 6 holes needed to insert it into your Filofax. When you were out in the field you updated your information using a "pen", which was like a stylus, only filled with "ink" (a pigmented, viscous fluid), which left marks on the paper. When you got back to your office you could review the new data, update Portex, and print if necessary. A similar way of working was embodied in the Rex personal organiser. This was a PCMCIA card with an LCD screen in it. Again, you kept your data on the PC, and downloaded it to the Rex by plugging the Rex into a PCMCIA socket on your computer (or a PCMCIA-style cradle if you didn't have a slot). You could refer to your data in the field by turning on the Rex and navigating with a small 4-way keypad. There was no input facility, so you needed to keep notes on a napkin, matchbook, dancer's thigh or whatever came to hand (a burnt cork is an ideal replacement for a pen). Portex no longer exists. Rex was pooh-poohed for its lack of input functionality (and consequently no longer exists). My Palm III is on its last legs and I don't know if I really need a new one. My ideal is (I think) the Hipster PDA: http://www.43folders.com/2004/09/03/introducing-the-hipster-pda/ Okay, it's a stack of 3x5 cards with a binder clip. I have decided that if I had decent organiser software (or if I was just organised with some text files) I could print onto 3x5 cards which I could refer to in the field and modify with the aid of a "pen". I tried printing onto some blank cards with my HP DeskJet 948c, and it will accept and feed them through. The cards measure 76mm wide and 127mm tall. The printer can print over that area with margins of 3.4mm left and right, 1.7mm to the top and 12.5mm at the bottom. My point is (and I do have one): is LaTeX the thing to do this? Can I keep my reference notes in simple text format and do something like: latex notes.txt | print Is this a better way than setting up a page style in KWord or OO? What does everyone else do? I find I use my Palm III less and less. Andy
