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Observations on learning ConTeXt

Observations on learning ConTeXt. And how to make it easier. Reasons to learn ConTeXt. Publishing Exact control of the layout and visuals in general Easy handling of large documents Combining material from different sources Interactive pdf, multiformat output Academics

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Observations on learning ConTeXt

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  1. Observations on learning ConTeXt And how to make it easier

  2. Reasons to learn ConTeXt • Publishing • Exact control of the layout and visuals in general • Easy handling of large documents • Combining material from different sources • Interactive pdf, multiformat output • Academics • Structure, consistency, bibliography • Maths, chemistry, plotting (MetaPost) • Linguistics, non-Latin languages • Other • Just because it is something new and exciting Mari Voipio / 4th ConTeXt User Meeting

  3. Learning strategies • “Fiddling around” – learn-by-doing • The Apple approach (a 3-year-old can use an iPad) • Not suitable for more abstract/specialised software • How did he do that? – learn-by-example (or imitation) • Learn-by-tweaking – sometimes called “stealing” • How do I do x? – learn-by-asking • Strictly “need-to-know” basis • Once in a while called “laziness” • RTFM – learn-by-reading • Theoretical, “want-to-know-everything” basis • Seldom appears in pure-bred form Mari Voipio / 4th ConTeXt User Meeting

  4. Migrants • From LaTeX • ConTeXt allows easier control of the visuals • Understanding of the basic concepts • From WYSIWYG desktop publishing (InDesign, PageMaker) • Looking for automating workflows • Good grasp of the visual theory • Maybe not familiar with command line or descriptive tagging • From WYSIWYG word processing (MS Office, OpenOffice) • Need to handle large documents or maths or linguistics • Background can vary, shaky knowledge of the basic concepts • Not interested in the deeper workings Mari Voipio / 4th ConTeXt User Meeting

  5. Learning process Skill Skill Skill Time Theory Word ConTeXt? Time Time Mari Voipio / 4th ConTeXt User Meeting

  6. Learning process, revised Skill Skill Skill Time Time Time Theory Word ConTeXt? Mari Voipio / 4th ConTeXt User Meeting

  7. How to help? • Software usability • Ease of installation • Editor integration • context live @ contextgarden.net • Modules • Documentation • Cheat sheets for LaTeX users • Short manuals with a single recipe in each • Reference manual • The ConTeXt Community; wiki, mailing list, user meetings • Example files • “File per feature” enables easy debugging • Special sets for WYSIWYG migration? Mari Voipio / 4th ConTeXt User Meeting

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