TeX for U

Open source software is an extraordinary resource for textual work. I use MacTeX for typesetting, TeXShop as editor, BibDesk for bibliographies, and TextMate as another editor. The last one has been open sourced but is proprietary. Texts and presentations using complicated writing systems and coding become part of text creations. They are free! free of the kind of rent that all proprietary systems are exacting, free of forced formatting that we don’t control, free of automatic data gathering many paid programs resort to. I love the beauty of TeX typesetting, the freedom it gives in writing, the archival possibilities it offers, and the sense of participating in a large community. There is also the techie factor, I confess, or is that the geek factor. I am a member of the TeX Users Group and urge readers and friends to become members themselves: check the membership form.