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A LATEX-document is an
encoded text-file that's been compiled with the TEX-compiler
to yield professional, type-setting standard output suitable
for scientific reports. Look at the bottom at this page to
find out how to install LaTeX on your Windows computer! A PDF
formatted example of such an output can be downloaded here: reportexample.pdf. These
were the steps necessary to produce such an output:
- edit the "reportexample.tex" file to
your heart's content;
- on the Unix-prompt, type "latex
reportexample.tex" (without the quotes). (You'll also want
satdat.eps, a figure that gets included in the document).
You have now generated a file
named "reportexample.dvi" as well as a couple of other files (not
interesting).
- Convert the dvi-file to PostScript by typing
"dvips reportexample.dvi -o reportexample.ps". Note that the *.dvi-file can
be viewed on the Physics-mainframe with the program xdvi.
-
View the PostScript file using GhostView or print it by typing "lpr reportexample.ps".
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I suggest that you search the WWW
with any or all of the keywords "Latex, Leslie Lamport" (he
is the original author of LaTeX, and wrote a book on its use),
and I'm sure you'll find lots of resources on
Latex. If you find it too complicated to get figures into a
Latex-file, then I suggest that you just leave some space for figures,
and glue them in. For more reference on LaTeX, search Google for
"latex manual", for example. One good hit was: this
one. Some people have also asked me about general UNIX/Linux
tutorials, and again, I have to refer to the internet for information.
Try www.ctsnn.com, for example. Note
that this site refers to "telnet" alot. This is an obsolete form of
connecting between computers, and is now replaced by "ssh" (Secure SHell).
It's activated pretty much the same way, but uses encryption instead of
clear-text. You can even download an SSH-client for your windows computer
at www.ssh.com.
Here's how to put a figure into your LaTeX document.
You need to have the figure in Encapsulated PostScript (EPS) format. We've
seen already how to save graphs from gnuplot in EPS.
Most any software on unix or Linux will save to PostScript format if you
simply print to a file. PostScript and EPS are nearly identical, but EPS
has just a little more information in it. You can convert a PostScript file
to EPS with: ps2epsi infile.ps outfile.eps on physics.
Now comes the trick to put this INTO the LaTeX-document. Proceed by
adding the following line to just beneath the "\documentclass..."
line:
\usepackage{graphicx}
Then, wherever you want the figure to appear, insert the following:
\begin{figure}
\centerline{\includegraphics[width=5in]{filename.eps}}
\caption{Appears as Fig. Caption under the Drawing}
\end{figure}
Some hints and comments about the
actual content of the report...
- It might be useful to look at some real physics papers. You can
find a page of links
here, where you can view and download all sorts of physics papers.
- Try to avoid language like "I measured this; I did that..." and opt
for the passive voice ("It was found that; Measurements showed
that...") or at least "We measured this...", etc. The passive voice
gives an impression of objectivity.
- Provide DETAILS in the
description of your apparatus (e.g. discriminator threshold used,
dimensions of detectors, etc.) and avoid referencing to the lab
manual!
LaTeX on your Windows computer
LaTeX is installed on all UNIX and Linux systems, but must be
downloaded for Windows machines. You have (at least) three options:
-
The easiest option will probably be to use "WinEdt". They have a 30
day free trial version on their website: www.winedt.com.
-
One implementation is called "miktex", and although the installation
process is a little complicated, it's supposed to work well once
you've got it installed. Please search Google for "miktex latex", or
see this
link.
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Another option for laTeX on
Windows, it's called "Scientific Word". Try http://www.sciword.demon.co.uk/
and see if you can find the free, 30 day trial download. This program
is easier and nicer in general than miktek, but it might be harder to
find the download... In the end, the easiest way is to come in to
physics and do it here. :)
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