How to Set Up and Maintain a TEX System
R. Allan Reese · 1993
TEX use is increasing, but TEX suffers from a folklore perception of being hard to use and aimed at computer programmers. This is partly because of the packaging and presentation. TEX documentation generally assumes TEX has already been set up- someone else has written a Local Guide. Compared with commercial software that is 'load and go', TEX installation seems to expect an unreasonable level of systems knowledge. Ths is compounded by the lack of a definition of what would constitute a TEX installation; it is far more than just TEX authenticated by passing the TRIP test. The continuing development and improvement of TEX-related tools distributed via networks aggravates the situation. The TEX community must specify the components and the 'current versions ' that should be available in any 'standard ' installation if TEX is to be used as a lingua franca for document transfer. The combination of TUG and CTAN organizations form a reasonable basis for carrying out ths function. The paper includes a list of components that ths author has assembled over several years; the next stage would be to expand this list and make the list generally available. The problem There are several papers and distributed notes on the general theme of 'Getting started with TEX'. Daneliuk (1993) is a list of TEX-related tutorials.