MiKTeX 2.8 status

by CSchenk5. September 2008 15:44
I have started MiKTeX 2.8 development a short while ago. Here is what has been done and what will happen in the next couple of months:

MiKTeX package manager GUI (Linux)

My development progress bar shows sixty percent.

What has been done:

  • package information is displayed in a list view window
  • it is possible to install/remove packages

What is missing:

  • search for packages (using file names or keywords

The source code will be made available soon.

Coding this initial version was fun. I have learned many new things (Qt, Unix build tools, ...). Not a waste of time. But:

Now that TeX Live has a nice package manager of its own, I do not
expect much interest in the MiKTeX package manager for Linux. That
said, I only will continue to spend time on this project, if more
pledges come in. See http://micropledge.com/projects/miktex-mpm-qt?do=pledge, for more information.

LuaTeX integration

Nothing happened yet. I took a look at the LuaTeX development sources and discovered no stumbling points. On principle, it should be possible to integrate LuaTeX. And I will start this task in October. It remains to be seen whether LuaTeX will be successful. At the moment, only ConTeXt seems to make use of its features.

pdfTeX for Linux

I will make available the MiKTeX version of pdfTeX for Linux.

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MiKTeX Development

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Comments (12) -

Anonymous
AnonymousGermany
9/7/2008 10:23:25 PM #

Why not asking DANTE for sponsoring the development instead of (or in addition to) waiting for pledges?

Anonymous
AnonymousGermany
9/7/2008 10:26:38 PM #

What kind of features will MikTeX version of pdfTeX offer in comparison to the one contained in TeX Live? What I like under MikTeX is automatic download of packages, but I don't know if that's what you are targeting.

cschenk
cschenkUnited States
9/8/2008 12:46:54 AM #

I think the auto-install feature is good reason to make available a Linux version of MiKTeX-pdfTeX. The code is there and it's portable, i.e., not much work. It's a logical step.

Alvaro
AlvaroSpain
9/10/2008 3:46:19 PM #

I think it is not pointless to have a such a GUI... I've the package manager on my Mac... I prefer yours on a Windows Box...

More over, you work woth QT, which multiplatform...

Basil
BasilRussia
9/10/2008 8:19:39 PM #

What about extending SDK in version 2.8 ?

So, current implementation of find function
do not accept program name (i.e. latex, plain, etc.)

Is it possible to add something like 'findEx' function which accepts program name and file type as additional parameters ?
What we can do to encourage you to add this feature ?

Chris
ChrisAustralia
11/1/2008 11:47:58 PM #

Hi.  When do you expect the full version of MiKTeX 2.8 to be released?  I am getting a new laptop and wondering if I should install 2.7 first or wait till 2.8 to be released?

cschenk
cschenkUnited States
11/1/2008 11:53:37 PM #

My current plan is to release MiKTeX 2.8 in 2009.

Eduard
EduardRussia
11/21/2008 6:08:15 AM #

Hello, dear CSchenk!

Thank you very-very much for your great labour! MiKTeX is the best for Windows, for example, DVI-viewer in TeX Live 2008 does not work properly. But I have one great request: could you make MiKTeX portable?

They says, some old versions (to the point of version 2.4) was able to put it's folder onto usb-flash stick and it worked. Many users needs this ability very much.

Just for me, I have two machines and several operating systems — Windows, Linux & another ones. For example, I have two WindowsXP on the same machine. Now I have to install two examples of MiKTeX — approximatelly of 1.5 Gb of each one! I have tried to “activate” MiKTeX from under “alien” Windows, but without success. Also I'd like to work with LaTeX on any machine with USB-stick.

I hope, MiKTeX must put all files (include generated metafonts) only in it's own folder — not use %USERPROFILE%, “Common files” etc. And, of course, must not use Windows Registry, but use only simple INI-files.

Could you do that?

Jeff Pratt
Jeff PrattUnited States
3/16/2009 10:02:00 PM #

So, I take it that ConTeXT will be returning in 2.8?

Michael A. Golub
Michael A. GolubRussia
4/24/2009 2:27:42 PM #

I'd like to revive -terminal=oem option and allow changing page format from within YAP (as it was before MiKTeX 2.5). I tried \special to set non-default paper format under MiKTeX 2.7, but it seems to me that the behavior is not satisfactory.

Another wanted feature is more graphics formats understandable by BMEPS (as it was before) and that BMEPS would keep original picture size (not just resetting it to 72 dpi and thus enlarging it).

acne
acneUnited States
7/28/2009 7:24:46 AM #

Hi..
I think it is very good news for the linux user because MekTex2.8 beta 2 has the feature of auto-install and also the package remove and install functionality.But in market the advanced version MekTeX2.8 beta3 is also released.I suggest you to go for advanced version.

David
DavidUnited States
8/13/2009 5:07:43 PM #

Having LuaTeX work without any stumbles is an accomplishment in itself.
Meanwhile I'll be waiting for the source code to be released. Or should I maybe pick up some <a href="http://www.bananacall.com/">calling cards</a> and call my friends from India for a different version?

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