Re: installing new packages under mactex and texshop

In article <68jutrF2t3i7pU1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
Peter Flynn <peter.nosp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Rowland McDonnell wrote:
[snip]
The point is that with (for example) gwteX, the system-wide local
additions tree was used for things not installed by the local user,
there's no particular reason to think that in future, the provided local
additions texmf tree will stay clear of such things in future.

I want to be 100% sure that nothing messes up the things I add. The way
to be sure of that is to define a new texmf tree - one that MacTeX
doesn't know about. Especially with what I've seen i-installer do in
the past... Who knows what might get over-written or deleted or added
where I don't want it and don't know about it?

You worry me. I'm considering a new laptop, and thinking now is the time
to move to a Mac. But you seem to be implying that MacTeX is unstable
with respect to its directory tree usage.


Howdy,

MacTeX is very stable with its directory tree usage. The personal tree
(what most folks would use) has its root in ~/Library/texmf/ (~ is the
user's HOME directory) and `sudo texhash` need not be run. System wide
(i.e., for all users on a given system) should be rooted in
/usr/local/texlive/texmf-local/ (e.g., that's where I put fonts and
formats files for local users of the system) and you need to run `sudo
texhash` for use. (Of course `sudo updmap-sys' , etc., for fonts.) You
shouldn't be playing in sub-directories of /usr/local/texlive/2007/
since those will be updated with any updates of MacTeX 2007.

When MacTeX/TeX Live 2008 comes out it will be installed in
/usr/local/texlive/2008/ and use the the same
/usr/local/texlive/texmf-local/ so the local changes will be included.

MacTeX installs a System Preference Pane called TeX Distribution that
allows you to choose between installed TeX distributions so TeX Live
2007 and 2008 can live side by side. Nice for the squeemish or those
that are in the middle of something important. You choose which
distribution is active via a simple radio button.

Good Luck,
Herb Schulz
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: installing new packages under mactex and texshop
    ... additions tree was used for things not installed by the local user, ... additions texmf tree will stay clear of such things in future. ... to be sure of that is to define a new texmf tree - one that MacTeX ... many problems exist with TeXShop - the author failed to reply to ...
    (comp.text.tex)
  • Re: installing new packages under mactex and texshop
    ... additions tree was used for things not installed by the local user, ... additions texmf tree will stay clear of such things in future. ... Even now it installs itself in a different ...
    (comp.text.tex)
  • Re: installing new packages under mactex and texshop
    ... to be sure of that is to define a new texmf tree - one that MacTeX ... additions directory tree, and I'm far from unique in having problems due ...
    (comp.text.tex)
  • Re: Yast save paths
    ... On the one hand the online installs are no fun when you have several ... bash: tree: command not found ... you should try using zypper instead of Yum going forward. ... $ zypper search packagename, packagename ...
    (alt.os.linux.suse)
  • Re: Yast save paths
    ... On the one hand the online installs are no fun when you have several ... machines to do. ... bash: tree: command not found ...
    (alt.os.linux.suse)