LaTeX and other stuff

[Trace]

am just starting an open university course (physics) and have the chance to submit my assignments on line. The files should be no more than 5mb and past experience has shown me that scanning written work (average 15 pages) creates files much bigger than this. People have suggested ''zipping pdf files'', or ''compressing jpg's'' or alternatively use LaTeX (? a word type package with extensive equation editor?). I have no idea what any of these terms mean, nor do I know if LaTeX is simply like having a drop down menu of usable maths symbols or if I have to type in instructions (programming?) in order to insert equations. Also, I will shortly be buying a new computer (I need a 'tower' only) this one being over 10 years old!! and wondered if you had any tips for me (the spec's bang on about RAM and Graphics cards, duel cores and other stuff I dont understand)

Sorry to post so many queries in one go, but any comments gratefully received. Thanks.

[KenB]

just starting an open university course (physics)

I wish you luck with this. It is not an easy course you have selected :)

 

I have just had a look at an exam script ( Electronics ) that I wrote that has embedded photos etc in it.

I wrote it in WORD and the 17 pages = 1.05MB.

 

I then saved it as a PDF file. ( This is an option in WORD .....click on Save As and it is in a drop-down menu ).

 

The resulting file is 252KB - a quarter of the original size.

 

This would seem to be the way forward.

 

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If you are scanning there should be an option to save it in PDF format. JPG is the format used by cameras and result in much bigger files.

 

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I am not conversant with LaTeX. so cannot comment.

 

I can see you having a problem inserting formulae and equations and there must be a simple solution.

( I can look into this further if you wish ? )

 

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You imply that you are going to write by hand and then scan the documents - is this correct?

 

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Regarding your choice of computer

 

I assume that you are buying a general purpose machine and not a gaming rig ?

 

If this is the case then it is relatively simple.

Your new machine will probably have Windows7 installed.

 

This comes in a variety of options ( Home Premium / Professional / Ultimate )

They offer different features and are progressively more expensive.

For general use Home Premium is fine.

 

Win7 is available in 32Bit and 64Bit

For general purpose 32Bit will be fine.

64Bit can process data faster.

 

RAM is basically temporary memory.

The more you have available, generally, the better and faster your system runs.

32Bit systems however have a 4GB cap - they will not recognise any more.

64Bit systems in theory can recognise up to 192GB but this is restricted by the motherboard ( often to 16 GB )

 

Video Cards

Basically there are 2 types.

Onboard Video - which is not a card but a chip attached to the motherboard.

 

Video Card - this can be removed and fits into a slotted connection on the motherboard.

 

If your chosen system has a Video Vard this is the better option.

Video Cards come in a wide range of prices and quality. They are, however, better than onboard video.

 

If your system specs show something like AMD Radeon HD 6250M Graphics and it is unclear if this is a card or onboard chip - simply Google it to find out.

 

Processors ( CPUs ) can be confusing.

Personally I would pay more attention to the Operating System / RAM / Video Card

However, generally, the higher the number 2.2GHz / 3.0GHz etc, the better the processor.

You may see 2 core / 4 core.

Again, the more cores, generally, the better.

The higher numbers indicate a faster processor.

 

I hope this helps.

[Trace]

Yes it does help, thank you very much.

[Plastic Nev]

I gather you are writing by hand on paper, unfortunately even the best up to date systems cannot recognise handwriting very well in order to convert a scan into a PDF document or similar. A scanner and its software can only make it a JPG, which is really a picture that you can't alter once on the computer.

I suggest doing all your writing into a word document via the computer and keyboard right from the start. If you need paper copies, printing off is easy if you have a printer, but it also means the computer can convert those documents to PDF files with no problem for sending in on line.

With the right software, Open Office for one, you can also open an empty PDF document to write into to save making a word document first. Pictures can be inserted as well as any other graphical images into both word or PDF documents.

Mathematical symbols in general are part of the normal fonts available, and any specialised symbol font may be found on Google perhaps.

 

I hope that is of further help.

Let us know if you need help in choosing software to work with, there is a tremendous amount freely available at no cost, whereas Microsoft Office does cost, and quite a bit too.

 

Nev.