On Friday 25 February 2005 02:38 pm, Michael Scottaline wrote: > On Fri, 25 Feb 2005 10:10:58 -0800 > Kenward Vaughan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> insightfully noted: > > KV>On Fri, Feb 25, 2005 at 06:25:42PM +0100, Nicolas Ferr� wrote: > KV>> Hi, > KV>> > KV>> Some years ago, as a PhD student, I decided to learn LaTeX to be able > KV>to > write scientific stuff directly on my workstation. A few time > KV>later, I > found LyX and I am using it now for the last 5 years. > KV>> > KV>> Now that I am on the other side (the teaching one), I decided to > KV>share > my enthusiasm with students. Like I know some of the LyX users > KV>have very > little knowledge of LaTeX, I am confused: shall I start > KV>teach LaTeX or LyX ? > > KV>> Any opinion or experience is welcomed. > KV> > KV>I would go with LyX initially. Several reasons come to mind for this > KV>approach. > KV> > KV>First, the students will immediately have positve feedback, both > KV>visually and in printed results, with little or no need for the > KV>underlying LaTeX. > ===================================== > I agree with all of the reasons you posted and would add: > Only those with the real interest could then go on to learn LaTeX. For > those for whom LyX is simply very capable, useful tool, there's no need > for them to bother with LaTeX if they're not so inclined. Many will not > be all that interested with [i]under the hood[/i]. > Michael
I agree, with one caveat. The student should be made aware, from the very beginning, that even the simplest changes to the predefined styles (environments) of his chosen layout file require LaTeX, and that given a deep knowledge of LaTeX he can achieve any change to any style that his heart desires. If the student is not made aware of this, his first reaction upon needing, let's say, a WARNING style requiring a shaded box, would be "hey -- I can do that in MS Word in 5 minutes -- what's up with this lame LyX thing". As the author of commercial books in which appearance is important, I've wrestled with this for years and have finally decided to become a LaTeX expert -- out of self defense. SteveT Steve Litt Founder and acting president: GoLUG http://www.golug.org
