Writing a thesis: Word or LaTeX? The three month thesis

[om7501]

Is Emacs good for LaTeX ?

[xechelonx]

what if your advisor/collaborators don't use latex? I imagine versioning can be a nightmare, since he can't work in the original version, only in a compiled version, and thus you'd need to "translate back" the edits

[codeinject]

LaTeX is amazing ^^ Esp when working with more people. As you can include other files.

[nimbostratue]

I have used both and I strongly disagree that Latex is better and easier. In fact word 2007 and 2010 are easier to use and you will get what you. I think your problem might be is that you are not that experienced with word because the advantage of automatic index, table of contents & figures that are done automatically in latex are also done automatically in word. When you write a thesis in word write in the outline mode so you can determine the heading properly

[threemonththesis]

@nimbostratue I have used word for years. Everything is possible in Word, but for me (and most people I have spoken to who have used both, Latex comes out on top. Each to their own though!

[nimbostratue]

@threemonththesis I have used latex for a month or so, and I worked within groups in the university where members were using latex for around a year. I used to sit with them and it would take them long time to write a report while I could finish the same work in 1/4 the time. Adding figures in word is much easier, however in latex it is pain in the ass. I know that you can reduce the effort by using a an editor that spare you from writing latex like Lyx but it still not easier than word.

[nimbostratue]

@threemonththesis Also I have tried most of the editor including WinEdit (pirated version) and I found that Lyx is the best and it is free, so my advice is to use it. Another thing to mention is that it does not mean that if you used word for years then you are professional. In fact you might not be at all, and in this case I advice u to look at a series of video tutorial by lynda and it is called word 2007 essential training(you can download it for avaxhome(dot)ws ) Enjoy!

[threemonththesis]

@nimbostratue never said i was a pro! If word works for you, great. For anyone who finds figures or formulas disappearing, try Latex.

[KingKongSamurai]

@threemonththesis Use TeXMaker instead of WinEdit. Its free and awesome, LyX is for people who want to use LateX but lack the brainpower, or is too lazy to learn.

And while you are at it, start using Linux, the native OS of Latex magicszz.

[mnajem]

@threemonththesis i hate floating figures and tables. why on earth they does not stick even though !h already called

[KingKongSamurai]

@nimbostratue Everyone is allowed to have opinions, even if it is bullshit. Latex rules in academia, hands down. Elsevier, Springer, IEEE, and almost every other distinguished journal publication has a Latex template. Because it is BETTER.

[nimbostratue]

@KingKongSamurai if Latex rules in academia, then that is good, but I wonder how they accepted people like you in academia that consider other people opinion as bullshit!!! Behave your self boy.

[KingKongSamurai]

@nimbostratue Oh trust me, the academia is full of assholes like me, it isnt a criteria for becoming one. Hahaha. Btw, I apologize, but Microsoft fanboys love to come and post stuff like that all the time. So I have little patience for it, because it isnt fair to compare free stuff in the first place. But this is one of the times where free stuff is actually better, and the only people who think otherwise are Microsoft and lazy pirates.

[KingKongSamurai]

@nimbostratue Ill be more than happy to teach you how to use Latex for a cup of coffee in return, as advised by the uploader.

[nimbostratue]

@KingKongSamurai Thank you for your generosity, and I think a cup of coffee is not enough, maybe I should teach you how to use word especially the outline mode and multilevel list in return. Anyway there is no need actually because I use LYX to spare my hands form getting RSI because of all the symbols that I have to type. I think you will not understand the full ramifications of my comment, but you will discover it some day. GOOD LUCK and Enjoy Latexing

[Vasha88]

I am a mathematician and I use both, but actually I prefer word 2010. It's quite easier and the results are usually better, but I know a lot of people that thinks the opposite! So I can suggest: try with latex some weeks and then decide yourself...

[mrsteventhejones]

@Vasha88 "its quite easier"

... all credibility lost

[albedoshader]

@Vasha88: Typographically, LaTeX is much more mature and professional—talking about kerning, (mathematical) typesetting, document structuring… and learning the markup language is easy. Just get a good book on LaTeX basics or one of the many great free introductions available online, preferably one including rules for good typesetting, and your’e able to write documents in no time. And you focus on the content instead of the page layout or the formula editor.

[tensorbundle]

Thank you so much for the video. You are right. I had to write my undergraduate thesis in word. You know what happened? All formulas vanished after the word file being converted to PDF. Then I used the formulas as image files and included in the thesis at last. That was horrible experience.