There's no i in winedt. Several people in class have decided to try out LaTeX.

The first big surprise in using LaTeX is that is isn't an editor. Its one segment in a production process that word processors unify into a single process. The steps in the process where the writer has the most control are the editing stage.

This means you need a text editor. Every operating system comes with one of these installed. There was a time not so long ago when customizing Windows meant editing a text file.

However, this would be like driving a car without any dashboard. It's nice to have some sort of direct interface to LaTeX, so you don't have to memorize all those commands, or other supporting applications (such as Ispell, spell checking is good).

I've been using NTEmacs, in part because it's capable of undertaking all sorts of esoteric and odd tasks. I'm often taken by an urge to pursue esoteric goals. Emacs does not pose some problems to windows users. It's not really window native, in fact its about as windows alien as you can get.

For people comfortable with windows, Winedt may be a better choice. Winedt is not as versitile as emacs, it's pretty tightly focused on editing LaTeX documents. That focus is a real plus if editing LaTeX on windows is the user's goal. Unlike emacs, the creators of winedt would like to be remunerated by their users (costs $40, $30 with student id). There's also a trial period, so it could be useful whem trying out LaTeX and then you can pay if you decide to embrace the LaTeX on windows life style.

The fact that winedt costs money demonstrates that emacs is really different from most windows applications from the programmers' motivations on.

My next post will be more directly to 20th Century philosophy, I promise.

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