[BlindMath] Your experience of learning LaTeX

[White, Jason J]

I can't comment on my own experience of learning LaTeX, as it took place in the mid to late 1990s, and I've long since forgotten the learning process.
My experience of using LaTeX is that a certain amount of Web searching usually identifies answers to whatever questions I have. However, as there are so many online resources (not necessarily up to date), finding the answers can take time. Better maintained and more extensive online references would be useful.
It also appears to be a common misconception (especially among commentators on the Web who don't know a lot about LaTeX) that it's primarily for mathematical and scientific content. In fact, it's a general-purpose typesetting system. I don't write mathematics in my work, but I use LaTeX extensively in preparing manuscripts such as papers for publication.
In recommending resources to others, I have found the following to be especially useful:
Formatting Information:
http://latex.silmaril.ie/formattinginformation/
LaTeX2E unofficial reference manual:
https://latexref.xyz/

-----Original Message-----
From: BlindMath <blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Jonathan Fine via BlindMath
Sent: Thursday, December 3, 2020 9:32 AM
To: Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics <blindmath at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Jonathan Fine <jfine2358 at gmail.com>
Subject: [BlindMath] Your experience of learning LaTeX

Hi

I hope you're keeping safe and well. I'd appreciate comments on your experience of learning latex, and any advice you can give to make things go better.

Below are three recent URLs, all new this year. The first two take different approaches to improving the online learning experience. The third is the video of a talk at this year's TeX User's Group conference, which focussed on exploring the user experience for sighted users.

Here are the URLs. (Disclaimer, I'm the author of the last two.)

1. https://nam01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.learnlatex.org%2Fen%2Flesson-03&data=04%7C01%7Cjjwhite%40ets.org%7Cd9a2960dd69745f47d9708d89798677d%7C0ba6e9b760b34fae92f37e6ddd9e9b65%7C0%7C0%7C637426028122306946%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=fiEFW5JdjS3R7Y41BUNwFStt%2FUePJeIm8V3rfaCCmrc%3D&reserved=0
2. https://nam01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fjfine2358.github.io%2Fpost%2F2020%2F01%2F01%2Flatex-type-tutor%2F&data=04%7C01%7Cjjwhite%40ets.org%7Cd9a2960dd69745f47d9708d89798677d%7C0ba6e9b760b34fae92f37e6ddd9e9b65%7C0%7C0%7C637426028122316943%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=ytlPlWyw8F53zOAawXR989Mk24vuCo%2FmeB4cIH0QtQ4%3D&reserved=0
3. https://nam01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DgNpOLBMeVBo&data=04%7C01%7Cjjwhite%40ets.org%7Cd9a2960dd69745f47d9708d89798677d%7C0ba6e9b760b34fae92f37e6ddd9e9b65%7C0%7C0%7C637426028122316943%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=xaosKA%2FV%2BSUeFCZCV9qkFGJ0DUtf8N1kQJ8ZoQbnPo0%3D&reserved=0

I've some background, from working at the UK's Open University as a LaTeX expert, in accessibility problems and solutions. I've been told many times that the earlier accessibility is addressed, the better and cheaper the solution. And I know that visual impairment is not one thing, the same for everyone.

I'm interested in all responses, even if not related to the URLs above.
I'll make some effort afterwards to summarize and disseminate what you say.

with best regards

Jonathan
_______________________________________________
BlindMath mailing list
BlindMath at nfbnet.org
https://nam01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnfbnet.org%2Fmailman%2Flistinfo%2Fblindmath_nfbnet.org&data=04%7C01%7Cjjwhite%40ets.org%7Cd9a2960dd69745f47d9708d89798677d%7C0ba6e9b760b34fae92f37e6ddd9e9b65%7C0%7C0%7C637426028122316943%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=D0SB0pvWPsUZ9wiU%2BWjuG9xHSXXulAJHEtgRuZAnvKM%3D&reserved=0
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for BlindMath:
https://nam01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnfbnet.org%2Fmailman%2Foptions%2Fblindmath_nfbnet.org%2Fjjwhite%2540ets.org&data=04%7C01%7Cjjwhite%40ets.org%7Cd9a2960dd69745f47d9708d89798677d%7C0ba6e9b760b34fae92f37e6ddd9e9b65%7C0%7C0%7C637426028122316943%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=JX75PjeFy26n05ltt93VsNmvK4Dxy0U373Jf8AufgC4%3D&reserved=0
BlindMath Gems can be found at <https://nam01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blindscience.org%2Fblindmath-gems-home&data=04%7C01%7Cjjwhite%40ets.org%7Cd9a2960dd69745f47d9708d89798677d%7C0ba6e9b760b34fae92f37e6ddd9e9b65%7C0%7C0%7C637426028122316943%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=BGU7ZmuynwlU8qBR9V%2BuiGwILfYbxCrCg%2BBvIUTiXYY%3D&reserved=0>

________________________________

This e-mail and any files transmitted with it may contain privileged or confidential information. It is solely for use by the individual for whom it is intended, even if addressed incorrectly. If you received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender; do not disclose, copy, distribute, or take any action in reliance on the contents of this information; and delete it from your system. Any other use of this e-mail is prohibited.


Thank you for your compliance.

________________________________