Re: multi-column spread control (was Re: beginner's questions)

[Hans Hagen <pragma@wxs.nl>]

At 08:27 AM 11/14/00 -0500, Ed L Cashin wrote:
>Hans Hagen <pragma@wxs.nl> writes:
>
>> At 01:44 PM 11/13/00 -0500, Ed L Cashin wrote:
>> >Hans Hagen <pragma@wxs.nl> writes:
>> 
>> >That sounds interesting.  What's an otr?  :)
>> 
>> an output routine, when tex has collected enough content to fit in the
>> page, or when explicitly asked for, tex will invoke the otr, which then is
>> supposed to do something with the collected content, like wrapping it up
>> and shipping it out; the call is actually an expansion of the token list
>> \output. 
>> 
>> \output
>>   {\shipout\vbox
>>      {\ruledhbox{Hi Ed}
>>       \ruledvbox{\box255}
>>       \ruledhbox{Do You Get it?}}}
>
>Um, the \output command sets up a handler, and box255 contains the
>finished page that tex is "shipping out"?  Yes, after looking at p.125
>of the TeXbook, I see that's it.
>
>> \input tufte
>> 
>> Normally you want to stay far away from this, since misuse may spoil all
>> housekeeping. 
>
>Columns are always done this way though, right?  (Usually by a
>macropackage.) 

Kind of, either by multiple output per page or by making a page n times as
high as possible and then splitting. A painful programming process,
especially if you want spacing okey. 

\input tufte 

\startcolumns
\input tufte 
\stopcolumns 

\input tufte 

is far from trivial.

Hans
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