[Blindmath] converting a textbook in LaTeX to MathML

Tue Jun 14 22:21:58 UTC 2016

Hi,

I author LaTeX content that is full of what people are calling macros. The reasons for doing so include, but not limited to:
Efficiency - a short command beats a set of long ones when everything needs to be typed out.
Consistency - one command gets lots of things done the same way throughout a document with no surprises.
Cleanliness - my LaTeX source is less cluttered and easier for me to read, especially as my commands tend to indicate semantics more often than I might be able to interpret from the raw LaTeX codes.

For example, in my manuals on using R, I have a \newcommand in my preamble that creates a new command \Rcmd. That command takes the one argument (an r command name), turns it into a typewriter font (for the sighted obviously), adds the () that I don't want to type or hear on the end of all the R commands in my work, and adds the R command to the index in such a way that all R commands in the index are formatted the same way. All of the additions my \Rcmd creates are from standard LaTeX packages, but none of the conversion tools I've tested other than tex4ht have handled my command.

I have used tex4ht for over five years now, and have only two faults that I think need to be resolved for improved accessibility. First, the figures in my work all come out with the alt tag set to "pic" and second, the math content is not accessible.

The second problem is new. When I first used tex4ht it generated good enough math content for me to want to use it. I still have the workflow set up to go when and if someone can demonstrate how to get the settings or the installation right to get that content back.

I think I've managed to work around the alt tag issue by using figure captions more than perhaps would otherwise be necessary, but at least it makes the document accessible.

Cheers,
Jonathan

-----Original Message-----
From: Blindmath [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of derek riemer via Blindmath
Sent: Wednesday, 15 June 2016 9:59 a.m.
To: Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics
Cc: derek riemer
Subject: Re: [Blindmath] converting a textbook in LaTeX to MathML

Hi,

Macros allow a la tex author to write complicated things easily. For example, a rule to generate two things separated by a vertical line might be written like \vertLine{stuff on the left}{Stuff on the right.}. 
The latex angen would go through and replace those with the commands defined in the macro.

On 6/14/2016 3:55 PM, Tara Robertson via Blindmath wrote:
> Thanks everyone!
>
> A whole textbook split into smaller chunks is kinda like a collection 
> of documents, no?
>
> I'm not sure what you mean about macros. Are macros used to create LaTeX?
>
> Central Washington University people are awesome! They are the folks 
> who trained us.
>
> Cheers,
> Tara
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Blindmath [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of 
> Joshua Hori via Blindmath
> Sent: June-14-16 2:47 PM
> To: Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics
> Cc: Joshua Hori
> Subject: Re: [Blindmath] converting a textbook in LaTeX to MathML
>
> You may want to reach out to Central Washington University:
> https://www.cwu.edu/central-access/
>
> Their Central Access Toolbar works with Infty Editor to remove all the 
> hijinks going on in the background and make an accessible Math 
> textbook in HTML. They also have the Central Access Reader for those 
> without TTS capabilities.
>
> Can also convert to Nemeth Braille on the fly after converting.
>
> Best,
>
> Joshua
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Blindmath [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of 
> White, Jason J via Blindmath
> Sent: Tuesday, June 14, 2016 1:41 PM
> To: Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics 
> <blindmath at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: White, Jason J <jjwhite at ets.org>
> Subject: Re: [Blindmath] converting a textbook in LaTeX to MathML
>
>
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Blindmath [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of 
>> derek Hi,
>>
>> This may be more dificult than it sounds. Pandoc can convert to 
>> mathml, but in a whole textbook, there's probably macros. These often
> don't get converted.
> That's true. You could try TeX4HT, which should give better results 
> when converting from LaTeX than Pandoc does.
>
>
> ________________________________
>
> 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.
>
> ________________________________
>
> _______________________________________________
> Blindmath mailing list
> Blindmath at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindmath_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Blindmath:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindmath_nfbnet.org/jhori%40ucdavis
> .edu
> BlindMath Gems can be found at
> <http://www.blindscience.org/blindmath-gems-home>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Blindmath mailing list
> Blindmath at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindmath_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Blindmath:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindmath_nfbnet.org/trobertson%40langara.
> ca
> BlindMath Gems can be found at
> <http://www.blindscience.org/blindmath-gems-home>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Blindmath mailing list
> Blindmath at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindmath_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Blindmath:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindmath_nfbnet.org/derek.riemer%40
> colorado.edu BlindMath Gems can be found at 
> <http://www.blindscience.org/blindmath-gems-home>

--
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Derek Riemer

  * Department of computer science, third year undergraduate student.
  * Proud user of the NVDA screen reader.
  * Open source enthusiast.
  * Member of Bridge Cu
  * Avid skiier.

Websites:
Honors portfolio <http://derekriemer.com>
Awesome little hand built weather app! 
<http://django.derekriemer.com/weather/>

email me at derek.riemer at colorado.edu <mailto:derek.riemer at colorado.edu>
Phone: (303) 906-2194

_______________________________________________
Blindmath mailing list
Blindmath at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindmath_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Blindmath:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindmath_nfbnet.org/a.j.godfrey%40massey.ac.nz
BlindMath Gems can be found at <http://www.blindscience.org/blindmath-gems-home>