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Why write this

Note

A lot of this is my own opinion (and may verge on a rant at time).

The "science" behind things like working efficiently can be difficult. What works for one person, may not work for another. Equally, things that drive one person mad, is the perfect way of working for another. As a veteran of the Emacs VS Vi "Holy War", used to seeing two completely different philosophies on how to do the same thing.

Currently in Note form. I will come back and fix when I have time.

(My View on) The problem with our current templates

  • Quite simply, Word is an Abomination when it comes to this.
  • Its good for writing text
  • But formatting has never been its strong point
  • This is even worse when we try to use to create standardised forms
  • Usual approach is to layout with tables.
  • Creates a doc that looks great, until you come to actually use it
  • Different version of word have slightly different rendering
  • Copy and Paste is a PITA
  • Lets not even go into using it on Linux
  • Even worse is the built in forms thing, because not even the creator of it has managed to use it correctly.
  • We also have Excel
  • Really hammers home this problem.
  • All the thought goes into making it look pretty, but not into the people who actually have to use it.
  • Knuth (and others) have seen this, so we separate the content creation from the actually formatting.
  • Let me get on with writing the content
  • Let someone else work out the template.
  • The Experts in each field do their job, rather than fighting with one and other.

Why use HTML

  • Actually, its pretty good at content. Almost certainly more HTML docs than anything else.
  • Hate the Modern argument, but its true.
  • If the Uni wants to move to this mobile first focus (We wont even go there) then supporting it via the web is a good idea.
  • End up with templates that look as good on the phone, as they do the screen and in print.
  • Can also follow DRY. Templates gives us much more control of this.
    • Lets say uni suddenly decides that everything is in comic sans. (Its such a friendly font)
    • Simple as changing one style sheet, that cascades to all docs. Better still, this can be retrospective.
    • Unless printed.
  • But I Have to learn HTML
  • Turns out its not that difficult. They teach it to school kids.
  • Also we are not doing any of the "Magic" in web 2.0. No JavaScript or stuff like that. Just pure HTML5.

  • We can also use Online layout generators.

  • There are some downsides:

  • May have issues in different browsers. (But as we are using pure HTML5, it shouldn't be a problem)
  • Needs to be online: Meh, its the way the uni is going anyway. Or just print the thing. (and I am working on PDF conversion)

Why use Markdown

  • In the Beginning there was Latex, and it was good
  • But you needed to be a geek
  • Shit like Lyx came along, which (IMHO) had all the downsides of BOTH latex, and Word.
  • In the past it would have been Org, but that tends to have the Emacs Barrier
  • Instead I tend to use MD, (and persuade the students to use it)
  • Is probably the simplest markup language there is
  • But It Supports things like CODE, and MATHS!!
  • Its a fecking great idea
  • Its powerful. I use it for Lecture notes ,slides, lab sheets.
  • I have had students write Dissertations in it

  • Its a Darn Sight Easier than Latex -

  • In the future I would like to add support for:

  • Org
  • ReST