Abstracts DANTE E.V

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Marion Neubauer, Neue Software bei Abstracts DANTE e.V. [New software from DANTE e.V.]; pp. 19–20 A short description of the software packages Die TEXnische Komödie distributed by DANTE. Contents of Some Past Issues ◦ TEX-Theatertage [T X theatre festival]; pp. 21–24: 9. Jahrgang, Heft 1/1997 (Mai 1997) E Martin Schroder¨ , DANTE ’97 in München Luzia Dietsche, [Editorial]; p. 3 [DANTE ’97 in Munich]; pp. 21–24 A short statement commenting on the current A personal account of DANTE ’97 (Febru- issue. In particular, she points out that articles ary 26–28, 1997) in Munich, describing briefly the on internal matters of DANTE occupy most of the proceedings of the conference. pages. Moreover, she is no longer a member of the presidium, and has not written the protocol, but ◦ Bretter, die die Welt bedeuten she is the editor responsible for the report of the [The stage is the world]; pp. 25–44: technical council. Marion Neubauer, Feinheiten bei wissenschaft- ◦ Hinter der Bühne : Vereinsinternes lichen Publikationen – Mikrotypographie-Regeln, [Backstage : Club matters]; pp. 4–20: Teil II [Fine points of scientific publishing — microtypographic rules, part II]; pp. 25–44 Joachim Lammarsch, Grußwort This is the second part of a (long and detailed) [Welcome message]; pp. 4–7 article which attempts a survey of the rules for A short comment on club matters by the German text (with some additional rules for foreign president of DANTE, mainly describing recent languages) and how they can be followed in LAT X. changes to the presidium of DANTE, and other E This part deals with numbers and digits, braces, organizational matters. Moreover, the case of spaces, hyphenations (and overfull boxes). A unfounded bank transfers initiated by AOL is still bibliography concludes the article. (For the first not resolved. part see Vol. 8, issue 4.) [Ehrenfried Just], Protokoll der 16. Mitgliederversammlung von ◦ Was Sie schon immeruber ¨ TEX wissen DANTE, Deutschsprachige Anwendervereinigung wollten ... [What you always wanted to know TEX e.V. [Protocol of the 16th assembly of about TEX ...]; p. 45: members of DANTE]; pp. 7–18 Bernd Raichle,Abkürzungspunkt am Satzende This is the official report of the members’ [Abbreviation point at the end of a sentence]; p. 45 meeting held in München (February 27, 1997). ,aLAT X-package by Bernd Raichle As usual, it is concerned with various formal and xpoint.sty E (similar to ), allows macros for abbreviations organizational matters, and reports on the situation xspace to end with a point which is suppressed if it occurs of DANTE. Among the topics treated are the at the end of a sentence. funding of NTS (DM 30,000.–), the decreasing membership numbers, the DANTE-CTAN-CDROM, ◦ T X-Beiprogramm [T X co-features]; pp. 46–63: and the case of AOL. The general assembly appoints E E four new honorary members: Donald E. Knuth, Dieter Glotzel¨ , Database-Publishing mit Oberon Barbara Beeton, Eberhard Mattes, and Luzia und LATEX [Database publishing with Oberon and Dietsche. (The other honorary members are Peter LATEX]; pp. 46–54 Sandner, Klaus Thull, and Yannis Haralambous.) This case study describes the (successful) Finally, a new presidium is elected: Joachim production of an official directory for the (new) Lammarsch and Friedhelm Sowa are reelected, while German ZIP codes using Oberon (as programming Uwe Untermarzoner and Luzia Dietsche do not language) and TEX (as typesetting engine). Finally, stand for office again. They are replaced by Marion the author pleads for the use of public domain Neubauer and Günter Partosch. software in commercial environments: Freeware is better software! 60 TUGboat, Volume 20 (1999), No. 1

Bericht des technischen Beirats 9. Jahrgang, Heft 2/1997 (Juli 1997) [Report of the technical council]; pp. 55–63 Luzia Dietsche, [Editorial]; p. 3 A collection of short reports (by the appointed A short statement commenting on the slightly coordinators) on the various hardware platforms modified layout of the current issue, announcing a and other special topics. In particular, eT X, E DANTE Web page containing the table of contents version 1.1, the ec-fonts, version 1.0, and the (new) of the Komödie, and announcing her resignation as mailbox of DANTE are presented. editor (due to major differences of opinion with the presidium). ◦ Leserbriefe [Letters]; p. 64: Walter Schmidt, Eine TEX-Umgebung für ◦ Hinter der Bühne : Vereinsinternes OS/2, Heft 4/96 [A TEX environment for OS/2, [Backstage : Club matters]; pp. 4–7: issue 4/96]; p. 64 Joachim Lammarsch, Grußwort The author comments that using the standard [Welcome message]; pp. 4–5 edition of EPMT X is preferable since it is easier to E A short comment on club matters by the install than the pro(fessional) version described in president of DANTE: The Update CD-ROM of the cited article, but fully sufficient. CTAN is distributed with this issue. Member number and invoice number together are used to ◦ Rezensionen [Reviews]; pp. 65–68: identify members. And TEX Live 2 is available from Thomas Koch, Der LATEX-Wegweiser DANTE. [The LATEX signpost]; pp. 65–66 Marion Neubauer, Software bei DANTE e.V. A review of a book (by Christine Detig) with (Stand: Juli 1997) [Software from DANTE e.V. this title (International Thomson Publishing, Bonn (as of July 1997)]; pp. 5–7 1997). It is a quick introduction to LAT X2ε, written E A short description of the software packages in question-and-answer style and using a concrete distributed by DANTE, updating the data given in sample document. The book’s message (according the previous issue. to the review): LATEX is not complicated! Andreas Schlechte, Das TEXikon – ◦ Von fremden Bühnen [On other stages]; p. 8: Referenzhandbuch für T XandLAT X [The E E Luzia Dietsche, Drucken wie zu Omas Zeiten T Xikon — Reference handbook for T Xand E E [Printing as in grandmother’s time]; p. 8 LAT X]; pp. 66–68 E A former big (East German) printing shop in A review of a book (by Stefan Schwarz and Leipzig has been converted to a (hands-on) museum Rudolf Potuˇcek) with this title (Addison-Wesley, of the art of printing. Bonn 1997). The book is a lexicon of TEXandLATEX commands (in alphabetical order, with detailed ◦ Bretter, die die Welt bedeuten description). The bottom line: A useful reference. [The stage is the world]; pp. 9–36: However, possible side effects of mixing LATEXwith ¨ (plain) TEX commands are not sufficiently treated. Gerd Neugebauer, Uberflüssiges? – Klammern In order to illustrate this, the reviewer presents um Makroargumente [Unnecessary?—Braces an example (by Bernd Raichle), a short piece of around macro arguments]; pp. 9–13 (LATEX) code, and asks the reader to predict (and This article discusses in some detail when it explain) its result. (The solution is promised for is possible to omit the braces around arguments the next issue.) (as required by strict LATEX syntax), and gives an application (a special user-defined environment). ◦ Spielplan [Repertory]; pp. 69–71: Klaus Barthelmann,Zähler nicht zurücksetzen The international and national calendar, in- [Avoiding the resetting of counters]; pp. 13–19 cluding the announcement of TUG’97 – T X Comes E Using footnotes in report class as an example, Home in San Francisco (July 28 – August 1, 1997). this article discusses how resetting of LATEXcounters can be avoided. ◦ Adressen [Addresses]; pp. 72–75: Various addresses related to DANTE,the Walter Schmidt,Absätze – einmal anders addresses of all persons who have contributed to [Paragraphs—done differently]; pp. 19–22 this issue, and the addresses of the coordinators in The author shows how non-zero \parfillskip charge of the various hardware platforms and other can be used to indicate paragraphs when both special topics. \parskip and \parindent are set to zero. TUGboat, Volume 20 (1999), No. 1 61

Holm Sieber, Russischer Textsatz mit LATEX (Verlag Hermann Schmidt, Mainz 1997) which was [Russian typesetting with LATEX]; pp. 22–31 given to the honorary members of DANTE.It The author describes the installation and use is a handbook for the practitioner, which can be (with Russian) of the multilanguage package babel consulted in small pieces as needed. It is not only under teTEX. a valuable reference, but also a beautifully designed book. It is a good value, but unfortunately not Ernst Molitor, Aufbereitung der Ergebnisse cheap (DM 168,–). von Literatur-Recherchen für LATEX und BibTEX [Preparing the results of bibliographic researches ◦ Spielplan [Repertory]; pp. 46–50: for LAT XandBibT X]; pp. 31–36 E E The international and national calendar, in- The author describes how he has developed cluding the preliminary program of TUG’97 — T X a tool which transforms the output of database E Comes Home in San Francisco (July 27–31, 1997). searches (provided by library tools) into BibTEX format for use with LAT X. The programs are E ◦ Adressen [Addresses]; pp. 52–55: written using flex and C++, and are available, but Various addresses related to DANTE,the will have to be adapted to other record formats. addresses of all persons who have contributed to ◦ Aus dem Fundus : Nützliches aus CTAN und this issue, and the addresses of the coordinators in anderen Quellen [From the properties room: charge of the various hardware platforms and other Useful tools from CTAN and other sources]; special topics. pp. 37–39: ◦ Distributed with this issue: Rolf Niepraschk, Das PSfrag-Paket [The PSfrag package]; pp. 37–39 CTAN Update, Stand Mai 1997, DANTE e.V. A short description of the LATEX package [CTAN Update, as of May 1997] PSfrag, which allows the substitution of text elements in eps graphics. 9. Jahrgang, Heft 3/1997 (Oktober 1997) Bernd Raichle, [Editorial]; pp. 3–4 ◦ TEX-Beiprogramm [TEX co-features]; p. 40: The new (interim) editor comments on the LATEX-Rätsel [LATEX puzzle]; p. 40 resignations of members of the Komödie team, A small crossword puzzle based on LATEXterms. differences of opinion on the responsibilities between the redaction and the presidium. This issue is ◦ Leserbriefe [Letters]; pp. 41–43: delayed only because they had to wait for the Herbert F. Decker, Protokoll der 16. Mitglieder- welcome message of the president. versammlung, Heft 1/97 [Protocol of the 16th ◦ assembly of members, issue 1/97]; pp. 41–42 Hinter der Bühne : Vereinsinternes This letter comments on the decreasing mem- [Backstage : Club matters]; pp. 5–10: bership numbers mentioned in the protocol. The Joachim Lammarsch, Grußwort author’s advice: Go popular! Make it easier for [Welcome message]; pp. 5–8 non-computer scientists, like teachers! This is the traditional comment on club matters Peter Willadt, Mikrotypographie-Regeln, Teil II, by the president of DANTE. Besides the usual Heft 1/97 [Microtypographic rules, part II, organizational matters (such as the installation of issue 1/97]; p. 43 a closed mailing list DANTE-EV), the main issue is This letter comments on two points of Marion the resignation of Luzia Dietsche from her position Neubauer’s article: The official standard (DIN) of as responsible editor of the Komödie. The reason the date format for office use is 1997-05-28, and for this unexpected step were major differences of according to the new German orthography, three opinion on editorial policy, in particular, concerning consecutive letters will always be retained. Marion the editing of articles. Moreover, the president Neubauer responds. has ordered (“in the interest of DANTE”) the placement of an article (by Marion Neubauer), and ◦ Rezensionen [Reviews]; pp. 44–45: the inclusion of software lists. Luzia Dietsche, Lesetypographie Friedhelm Sowa, Kassenbericht 1995 [Typography for reading]; pp. 44–45 [Treasurer’s report for 1995]; pp. 9–10 This is the review of the book Lesetypographie by Hans Peter Willberg and Friedrich Forssmann) 62 TUGboat, Volume 20 (1999), No. 1

◦ TEX-Beiprogramm [TEX co-features]; pp. 11–25: indicated.” Moreover, he explains how paragraph indentation has developed from space reserved for Walter Schmidt,TX-kompatible Rechtschreib- E the paragraph sign, ¶. prüfung für den Editor EPM unter OS/2 Warp [TEX compatible spelling checker for the editor Walter Schmidt, Antwort auf den Leserbrief EPM under OS/2 Warp]; pp. 11–13 von Henning Böke [Response to the letter from How to install (for the the editor of OS/2) a Henning Böke]; pp. 40–41 spelling checker for use in a TEX environment. The author of the article on unusual paragraph forms responds to the previous letter: He did not Martin Gercke,TXWord für Windows E discuss the pros and cons of various paragraph [T XWord for Windows]; pp. 13–15 E shapes. He only wanted to show how an alternative Despite T X’s high quality, for the average E effect can be obtained. However, he knows examples computer user it has some decisive disadvantages (in where the lack of paragraph indentation looks fine. comparison with Word and similar text processors). Under the motto ‘Nightmare or vision?’, the author Andreas Hirsch, Zum Leserbrief von Herbert F. describes his idea of a program TEXWord that Decker, Heft 2/97 [On the letter by Herbert F. would unite the advantages of both approaches. Decker, issue 2/97]; p. 41 This letter confirms the views of the letter Andreas Schlechte, Die neue Rächtschraibreh- cited. The problem posed by using TEXatschoolis form [The new orthography (spelled with three not with the program itself, but with its installation: mistakes!)]; pp. 15–22 Pupils can work with TEX, but they have problems A summary of the new (and much disputed) when they want to install it properly at home. German orthography (transition period August 1, 1998, to July 31, 2005), the adaptions necessary for Horst Gierhardt, Zum Leserbrief von Herbert F. TEX users, and some personal (critical) comments Decker, Heft 2/97 [On the letter by Herbert F. on the reform. “When will there be the reform of Decker, issue 2/97]; pp. 42–44 the reform?” The author (a teacher at the German school in Istanbul) also stresses the need for tools which allow Bernd Raichle, Das T Xikon, Heft 1/97: E easy installation and maintainance of TEXsystems Auflösung [The TEXikon, issue 1/97: solution]; (unlike the trouble caused by frequent updates to pp. 23–24 LATEX). It is mainly installation problems (in spite This is the explanation of the code presented of Eberhard Mattes’ emTEX) which prevent the use in the review of the T Xikon. E of TEX at school, or make it difficult. A L TEX-Rätsel, Heft 2/97: Auflösung Rolf Niepraschk,Zähler nicht zurücksetzen, A [L TEX puzzle, issue 2/97: solution]; p. 25 Heft 2/97 [Avoiding the resetting of counters, The solution of the crossword puzzle in the last issue 2/97]; p. 44 issue. A A pointer is given to two L TEX packages (by Donald Arseneau and by David Carlisle) designed ◦ Aus dem Fundus : Nützliches aus CTAN und to remove a counter from the list of resets. (This anderen Quellen [From the properties room: remark supplements the article cited.) Useful tools from CTAN and other sources]; Schobel¨ ... pp. 26–36: Wolfgang ,Ichhätt’ da mal ’ne Frage [Well, I happen to have a question ...]; pp. 45–46 Gerd Neugebauer, Vor Gebrauch schütteln Another letter addressing the problems of [Shake before use]; pp. 26–36 unsophisticated LATEX users. Why should one This article discusses outline variants of fonts — upgrade to LATEX2ε? It makes things more difficult. METAFONT how they can be generated with ,and And the documentation of LATEX packages is not how they can (and how they should) be used. helpful enough. “Much too complicated!” — that is the most common argument used against LATEX. ◦ Leserbriefe [Letters]; pp. 37–46: ◦ Henning Boke¨ ,Absätze – einmal anders, Von der Theaterkasse Heft 2/97 [Paragraphs—done differently, [From the theatre box office]; pp. 48–50: issue 2/97]; pp. 37–40 Marion Neubauer, Altere¨ Ausgaben von Commenting on the article cited, the author, TEX-Büchern bei DANTE e.V. [Old editions of a typographer, argues that it is best to mark TEX books from DANTE e.V.]; pp. 48–50 paragraphs by \parindent. The main reason: “Not A list of sale books offered by DANTE (mostly the end, the beginning of a new thought should be non-current editions). TUGboat, Volume 20 (1999), No. 1 63

◦ Spielplan [Repertory]; pp. 52–60: Marion Neubauer, Belichtungsservice The international and national calendar, in- [Service for photo typesetting]; pp. 12–14 cluding the announcements of conferences in Members can take advantage of a photo St. Malo (EuroTEX’98, March 29–31, and WEPT’98, typesetting service organized by DANTE. March 29–April 3, 1998), and TUG’98, August 17– Thomas Hafner, Protokoll der Sitzung AK 21, 1998, in Torun (Poland). Weiterentwicklung [Protocol of the meeting of the Announcment of the Second Week on Electronic WG development]; pp. 15–16 Documents, March 29–April 3, 1998, in St. Malo A meeting discussing a reorganization of (France). various services offered by DANTE. Call for Papers for the European TEX conference, March 29–31, 1998, in St. Malo (France). Klaus Braune, Protokoll der Sitzung AK Call for Papers for the TUG TEX conference, Software-Distribution [Protocol of the meeting of August 17–21, 1998, in Torun (Poland), the WG software distribution]; pp. 17–18 A meeting discussing the various forms of ◦ Adressen [Addresses]; pp. 60–63: software distribution offered by DANTE. Various addresses related to DANTE,the Uwe Munch¨ , Protokoll der Sitzung AK addresses of all persons who have contributed to Offentlichkeitsarbeit¨ [Protocol of the meeting this issue, and the addresses of the coordinators in of the WG public relations]; pp. 18–24 charge of the various hardware platforms and other A meeting discussing various aspects of pro- special topics. moting TEXandDANTE (merchandising, WWW, mailing lists, etc.). The main topic, however, is the 9. Jahrgang, Heft 4/1997 (Februar 1998) purpose of the Komödie and the rights and duties Gerd Neugebauer, [Editorial]; pp. 3–4 of the redaction team. The (new) editor comments on the current Bericht des technischen Beirats situation: Because of major differences with [Report of the technical council]; pp. 24–28 the presidium of DANTE, many members of the A collection of short reports (by the appointed redaction team have resigned. While the presidium coordinators) on the various hardware platforms considers the “Komödie” as newsletter of DANTE, and other special topics. In particular, Jörg the members of the redaction want to make it a Knappen reports on the ec-fonts (including the “high quality journal”. As a consequence, several tc(text companion)-fonts). authors have withdrawn their articles. Moreover, due (only) to decisions of the president, the current ◦ Bretter, die die Welt bedeuten issue could not be published on schedule. [The stage is the world]; pp. 29–39: ◦ Hinter der Bühne : Vereinsinternes Peter Willadt, Das verflixte achte Bit [Backstage : Club matters]; pp. 5–28: [This damned eighth bit]; pp. 29–39 The author describes how 8-bit input and 8-bit Joachim Lammarsch, Grußwort fonts change ‘daily work’ with TEXandLATEX. [Welcome message]; pp. 5–12 The president of DANTE starts his traditional ◦ TEX-Beiprogramm [TEX co-features]; pp. 40–42: comments on club matters by explaining the Eckermann delayed publication of this issue: It was caused Matthias ,TEXnische Qualen by a delay in the production of the CD-ROM [TEXnical pains]; pp. 40–42 set (delivered with this issue) which had been On a frustrating day, the author has a A nightmare concerning future costs of T X. postponed until the LTEX update was available. E After various organizational matters (software Markus Kohm, Jung gewohnt, alt getan distribution, membership fees, etc.) he comments [Trained in youth, done when old]; p. 42 on the current situation of DANTE (resignation of A short poem: Teach children Linux and LATEX! members, open letter). “It is always a minority which causes troubles.” ◦ Rezensionen [Reviews]; pp. 43–47: Joachim Lammarsch, Fonds zur Unterstützung Christa Post, Erstes Arbeiten mit TEX ,von von Mitgliedern [Funds for support of members]; Arnulf Liebig [“Starting to work with TEX”, by p. 12 Arnulf Liebig]; pp. 43–44 DANTE is able to support members who are A review of the book (Prentice-Hall, 1996) not able to pay their membership fees. cited in the title. The bottom line: In spite of a 64 TUGboat, Volume 20 (1999), No. 1

few flaws, it is a good introduction and a valuable issue 3). The president has to serve,nottoorder. reference (with an emphasis on mathematics). The president has to respect the independence of the redaction team of the Komödie. Ulrik Vieth, Schnell ans Ziel mit LATEX2ε,von Jörg Knappen [“Quick success with LATEX2ε”, by Joachim Lammarsch, Kommentar zum Offenen Jörg Knappen]; pp. 44–47 Brief [Comment on the Open Letter]; pp. 63–65 A review of the book (Oldenbourg München- In his personal answer the president regrets Wien, 1997) cited in the title. According to the that active members have resigned. However, all review, it is a “respactable” introduction to LATEX the points raised in the open letter are without a which offers some unusual features, has positive and real basis. negative aspects, and sometimes is rather sloppy. Jan Braun, Ein etwas anderer Wetterbericht ◦ Von fremden Bühnen [A slightly different weather report]; pp. 66–68 [On other stages]; pp. 48–49: The author (who has compiled a database of all articles published in the Komödie) describes Martin Schroder¨ ,TEX Merchandising — An how he sees the situation, why he has signed the Announcement (in English); pp. 48–49 open letter, and why (in reaction to attitude of the The proposal of a project aiming at the presidium) he has stopped contributing to DANTE production of TEX merchandising products like (i.e., he is no longer an active member). mugs, bags, T-shirts, etc. Matthias Eckermann,Rücktritt ◦ Leserbriefe [Letters]; pp. 50–69: [Resignation]; pp. 68–69 The author explains the reasons for his Peter Schmitt, “Dezimalkomma beim TEXsatz in resignation from the Komödie redaction team. deutsch”, Heft 1/94 [“The decimal comma with German TEX typesetting”, issue 1/94]; p. 50 ◦ Von der Theaterkasse A small mistake in the cited article is corrected. [From the theatre box office]; pp. 70–73: Schmitt Peter , “Orale Spielereien mit TEX– Marion Neubauer,Bücher bei DANTE e.V. Teil III (Addendum)”, Heft 2/96 [“Oral games — [Books from DANTE e.V.]; pp. 70–73 part III (addendum)”, issue 2/96]; pp. 50–53 A (partial) list of books on TEX and related A discussion of some points concerned with a topics, available from DANTE. sample macro used in the article cited. Offener Brief an das Präsidium von DANTE e.V. ◦ Spielplan [Repertory]; pp. 75–76: [Open letter to the presidium of DANTE e.V.]; The international and national calendar. pp. 53–56 A group of members (many of them founding ◦ Adressen [Addresses]; pp. 77–79: members) criticizes the working style of the Various addresses related to DANTE,andthe presidium. In their opinion, ‘active’ members who addresses of all persons who have contributed to want to work for TEXandDANTE are hindered this issue. and demotivated. In particular, the bad relations between the presidium and the redaction team of ◦ Distributed with this issue: the Komödie are discussed. CTAN, Comprehensive TEX Archive Network. The Schriftliche Antwort auf den “Offenen Brief” whole collection of LATEX, TEX, et al. [Written answer to the “Open Letter”]; pp. 56–60 A three CD-ROM set (archived January 1998). According to the presidium, the opinion (compiled by Peter Schmitt) expressed in the open letter is only that of a small group of members. The achievements of the presidium (various projects) are stressed. There is no valid reason for complaints, and the Komödie is ‘neither a newsletter of a club nor a journal of high quality content’. Ernst Molitor, Brief an den Präsidenten [Letter to the president]; pp. 61–63 The author criticizes the attitude of the president (as expressed in the welcome message of