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Subject: Re: beginner's questions
Date: Mon, 13 Nov 2000 22:26:06 +0100 (CET)
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On 13 Nov, Hans Hagen wrote:
> At 06:34 PM 11/11/00 +0100, siepo@client44-3.kabelA.oprit.rug.nl wrote:
> 
>>the internal space-eating dummy parameters.
> 
> The overhead of the interface is not that large, since mapping
> key/values on \cs's is rather efficient [actually this is how it
> started in order to fit context in those smaller tex's]

The point I tried to make was that it makes the internal code messier.

>>In practice, I need to write just as much plain TeX with Context as
>>with LaTeX, and I need to ask a lot more questions in order to get the
>>job done. And in Context I encounter just as many mysterious goings-on
>>as in LaTeX.
> 
> That's true as soon as you want control over every aspect of the
> layout. I fear that there is no way out of this, apart from providing
> as many hooks as needed.

The hooks are also a nice thing of Context, although it often takes
quite a bit of trial and error to make something work.

>>I use Context when I have to, but in general I much prefer LaTeX.
>>
>>Two things in favour of Context: other than LaTeX, it is capable of
>>producing a tight column layout. Also, Hans is very responsive and
> 
> Then I hope that you will not hate the alternative multi column
> mechanism I'm working on now -)

Keep your fingers crossed...

Siep