lyx_mirror/lib/doc/Intro.lyx

#LyX 1.3 created this file. For more info see http://www.lyx.org/
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\layout Title

Introduction to LyX
\layout Author

by the LyX Team
\begin_inset Foot
collapsed true

\layout Standard

Principal maintainer of this file is 
\noun on 
John Weiss
\noun default 
.
 If you have comments or error corrections, please send them to the LyX
 Documentation mailing list, <lyx-docs@lists.lyx.org>.
\end_inset 


\layout Standard


\begin_inset LatexCommand \tableofcontents{}

\end_inset 


\layout Chapter

The Philosophy of LyX
\layout Quote


\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 

Uncle Cosmo, why do they call this a word processor?
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 


\layout Quote


\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 

It's simple, Skyler.
 You've seen what food processors do to food, right?
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 


\layout Quote


\hfill 
--- Jeff MacNelly in 
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 

Shoe
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

 
\layout Section

What is LyX?
\layout Standard

LyX is a document preparation system.
 It excels at letting you create complex technical and scientific articles
 with mathematics, cross-references, bibliographies, indices, etc.
 It is very good at documents of any length in which the usual processing
 abilities are required: automatic sectioning and pagination, spellchecking,
 and so forth.
 It can also be used to write a letter to your mom, though granted, there
 are probably simpler programs available for that.
 It is definitely not the best tool for creating banners, flyers, or advertiseme
nts (we'll explain why later), though with some effort all these can be
 done, too.
 Some examples of what it is used for: memos, letters, dissertations and
 theses, lecture notes, seminar notebooks, conference proceedings, software
 documentation, books (on PostgreSQL, remote sensing, cryptology, fictional
 novels, poetry, and even a children's book or two), articles in refereed
 scientific journals, scripts for plays and movies, business proposals \SpecialChar \ldots{}

 you get the idea.
\layout Standard

LyX is a program that provides a modern approach to writing documents with
 a computer by using a markup language paradigm, an approach that breaks
 with the obsolete tradition of the 
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 

typewriter concept.
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

 It is designed for authors who want professional output quickly with a
 minimum of effort without becoming specialists in typesetting.
 The job of typesetting is done mostly by the computer, not the author;
 with LyX, the author can concentrate on the contents of her writing.
\layout Standard

Part of the initial challenge of using LyX comes from the change in thinking
 that you, the user, must make.
 At one time, all we had for creating documents were typewriters, so we
 all learned certain tricks to get around their limitations.
 Underlining, which is little more than overstriking with the 
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 

_
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

 character, became a way to emphasize text.
 You were forced to figure out column sizes and tab stops, and set them,
 before creating a table.
 The same applied for letters and other right justified text.
 Hyphenation at the end of a line required a careful eye and a lot of foresight.
\layout Standard

In other words, we've all been trained to worry about the little details
 of which character goes where.
 Consequently, almost all word processors have this mentality.
 They still use tab stops for adding whitespace.
 You still need to worry about exactly where on the page something will
 appear.
 Emphasizing text means changing a font, similar to changing the typewriter
 wheel.
 This is the underlying philosophy of a WYSIWYG word processor: 
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 

What You See Is What You Get
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

.
 Unfortunately, that paradigm often results in 
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 

What You See Is All You Get
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

.
\layout Standard

This is where LyX differs from an ordinary word processor.
 You don't concern yourself with what character goes where.
 You tell LyX 
\emph on 
what you're doing
\emph default 
 and LyX takes care of the rest, following a set of rules called a 
\emph on 
style.
\emph default 

\begin_inset Foot
collapsed true

\layout Standard

To be fair, most recent versions of the most popular office suites now have
 some sort of style sheets which follow a similar markup method.
 However, our experience is that they are still rarely used in practice.
\end_inset 

 Let's look at a little example:
\layout Standard

Suppose you are writing a report.
 To begin your report, you want a section called 
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 

Introduction\SpecialChar \@.

\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

 So, you go into whatever menu it is in your word processor that changes
 font sizes and decide on a new font size.
 Then you turn on bold face.
 Then you type, 
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 

1.\SpecialChar ~
\SpecialChar ~
Introduction
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

.
 Of course, if you later decide that this section belongs someplace else
 in the document, or if you insert a new section before it, you need to
 change the numbering for this and all following sections, as well as any
 entry in the table of contents.
 
\layout Standard

In LyX, you go to the pull-down on the far left of the button bar and select
 
\family sans 
Section
\family default 
, and type 
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 

Introduction\SpecialChar \@.

\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 


\layout Standard

Yes, that's all.
 If you cut and paste the section, it will automatically be renumbered ---
 everywhere.
 And if you enter references to that section correctly (by inserting cross-refer
ence tags), LyX will automatically update them all throughout the file so
 that you never, ever type a section number.
\layout Standard

Now let's look at the problem of consistency.
 Five days later, you reopen your report and start Section\SpecialChar ~
4.
 However, you forget that you were using 18pt bold instead of 16pt, so you
 type in the heading for Section\SpecialChar ~
4 in a different font that what you used
 for Section\SpecialChar ~
1.
 That problem doesn't even exist in LyX.
 The computer takes care of all that silly bookkeeping about which thing
 has what size font, not you.
 After all, that's what a computer is good at.
\layout Standard

Here's another example.
 Suppose you're making a list.
 In other word processors, a list is just a bunch of tab stops and newlines.
 You need to figure out where to put the label for each list item, what
 that label should be, how many blank lines to put between each item, and
 so on.
 Under LyX, you have only two concerns: what kind of list is this, and what
 do I want to put in it.
 That's it.
\layout Standard

So, the basic idea behind LyX is: specify 
\emph on 
what
\emph default 
 you're doing, not 
\emph on 
how
\emph default 
 to do it.
 Instead of 
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 

What You See Is What You Get,
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

 the LyX model is 
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 

What You See Is What You 
\emph on 
Mean
\emph default 

\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

 or 
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 

WYSIWYM.
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

 It's a powerful idea that greatly simplifies the mechanics of writing documents.
 This is also why LyX isn't so good for creating posters and flyers---in
 this case, you 
\emph on 
do
\emph default 
 want to specify exactly where everything goes, because there are no functional
 units like paragraphs, sections, etc.
 This doesn't mean LyX is missing some cool function.
 It simply means that it isn't the right tool for the job --- you don't
 use a screwdriver to drive in nails (unless your screwdriver comes with
 a lifetime warranty).
\layout Section

Differences between LyX and Other Word 
\newline 
Processors
\begin_inset OptArg
collapsed true

\layout Standard

LyX and Other Word Processors
\end_inset 


\begin_inset Foot
collapsed true

\layout Standard

No, we're not trying to start (or win) a word processor holy war here.
 But we do think it's important to describe LyX's features.
 And one of LyX's main features, WYSIWYM, is a fundamentally different concept
 than the one that most of people have about word processing.
\end_inset 


\layout Standard

Here's a list of things you won't find in LyX:
\layout Itemize

The document ruler
\layout Itemize

Tab stops
\layout Itemize

Extra whitespace (i.e.
 hitting 
\family sans 
Enter
\family default 
 or 
\family sans 
Space
\family default 
 two or more times)
\layout Standard

Tab stops, along with a ruler showing you the position of things on the
 page, are useless in LyX.
 The program worries about where things go on the page, not you.
 Extra whitespace is similar; LyX adds them where necessary, depending on
 context.
 Not being able to type two blank lines in a row will be annoying at first,
 but it makes more sense once you're thinking in WYSIWYM terms.
\layout Standard

Here are some things that exist in LyX, but aren't used as you might think:
\layout Itemize

Indenting controls
\layout Itemize

Page breaks
\layout Itemize

Line spacing (i.e.
 single spaced, double spaced, etc.)
\layout Itemize

Whitespace, horizontal and vertical
\layout Itemize

Fonts and font sizes
\layout Itemize

Typefaces (bold, italic, underline, etc.)
\layout Standard

Although they exist in LyX, you generally don't need them.
 LyX will take care of these things for you, depending on what you're doing.
 Different parts of the document are automatically set in a different typeface
 and font size.
 Paragraph indenting is context dependent; different types of paragraphs
 get indented differently.
 Page breaks get handled automatically, as well.
 In general, the space between lines, between words, and between paragraphs
 is variable, set by LyX.
\begin_inset Foot
collapsed true

\layout Standard

There are ways to adjust all of these (only some of which require knowledge
 of LaTeX), either for a whole document or for a specific location in a
 document.
 See the 
\emph on 
User's Guide
\emph default 
 and/or the 
\emph on 
Extended Features
\emph default 
 manual for details.
\end_inset 

 
\layout Standard

Lastly, there are a few areas where we believe LyX (and LaTeX) surpasses
 many word processors:
\layout Itemize

Hyphenation
\layout Itemize

Lists of any type
\layout Itemize

Mathematics
\layout Itemize

Tables
\layout Itemize

Cross-referencing
\layout Standard

Granted, many modern word processors can handle mathematical symbols, tables,
 and hyphenation, and many have moved towards style definitions and the
 WYSIWYM concept.
 However, they've only recently been able to do so, whereas LyX is built
 upon the LaTeX document preparation system.
 LaTeX has been around for over 15 years, and 
\emph on 
works
\emph default 
.
\layout Section

What the heck 
\emph on 
is
\emph default 
 LaTeX (and why do I care)?
\layout Standard

LaTeX is a document preparation system designed by Leslie Lamport in 1985.
\begin_inset Foot
collapsed true

\layout Standard

The source for the info in this section is 
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 


\emph on 
A Guide to LaTeX2e
\emph default 
,
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

 by Helmut Kopka and Patrick Daly, which has an entry in the bibliography
 of the 
\emph on 
User's Guide
\emph default 
\SpecialChar \@.

\end_inset 

 It, in turn, was built up from a typesetting language called TeX, created
 by Donald Knuth in 1984.
 
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 

TeX
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

 is pronounced like 
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 

blech!
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

 which is how many people feel about it.
 However, most folks don't understand just what TeX is.
 TeX takes a sequence of typesetting commands, written in a script in an
 ASCII file, and executes them.
 It's a bit more complicated than a typewriter, but not nearly as involved
 as an actual printing press; however, many of the 
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 

tricks
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

 of the printing trade were modeled by Knuth as computer algorithms and
 incorporated into TeX, thus its excellent printed appearance.
 In any case, what comes directly out of TeX is the so-called 
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 

device independent
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

 format file, or 
\family typewriter 
dvi
\family default 
 for short.
 You can then feed the 
\family typewriter 
dvi
\family default 
 file to anything that understands 
\family typewriter 
dvi
\family default 
, or converts 
\family typewriter 
dvi
\family default 
 to other formats like PostScript<70>, PDF, etc.
 
\layout Standard

If it weren't for one other feature, all TeX would be is a typesetting engine.
 However, TeX also allows you to define macros.
 This is where the action begins.
\layout Standard

Most people who use TeX are actually using a macro package which Knuth created
 to hide a lot of the typesetting details.
 This is what most people think of when they think of TeX\SpecialChar \@.
 Ordinary users
 don't work with raw TeX, which are the bare-bones typesetting commands.
 People creating new macro-packages do that.
 This is where Leslie Lamport enters our story.
 He wanted a macro package that was more user-oriented and less typesetter-orien
ted, a set of commands that consistently typeset things like sections or
 tables or math formulae in a uniform, consistent fashion with as little
 fuss as possible.
 This is how LaTeX was born.
\layout Standard

Now, in parallel with the development and growth of LaTeX, other folks were
 creating their own custom macro packages for TeX, ones to make slides or
 articles for math journals and so on.
 Some used the raw TeX facilities to do this, others began modifying LaTeX.
 To try and unify this mess, a team of LaTeX-nicians (including Lamport,
 of course) began to work on LaTeX2e, the current version of LaTeX, during
 the late 1980's.
 This new version of LaTeX has commands which provide an easier-to-use interface
 to TeX's macro-creating commands (remember TeX?), aid in the use of new
 fonts, and so on.
 In fact, LaTeX is quite an extensive language in its own right! Users around
 the world have been creating their own add-ons for LaTeX beyond the standard
 ones.
\layout Standard

There are two ways to extend LaTeX: classes and styles.
 A 
\emph on 
class
\emph default 
 is a set of LaTeX (and TeX) macros describing a new type of document, like
 a book, or an article.
 There are classes for slides, for physics and math journals\SpecialChar \ldots{}
 many universities
 even have a class for their thesis format! A 
\emph on 
style
\emph default 
 differs from a class in that it doesn't define a new type of document,
 but a different type of 
\emph on 
behavior
\emph default 
 that any document can use.
 For example, LyX controls page margins and line spacing using two different
 LaTeX style-files designed for these purposes.
 There are style-files for a whole slew of things: printing labels or envelopes,
 changing indentation behavior, adding new fonts, manipulating graphics,
 designing fancy page headings, customizing bibliographies, altering the
 location and appearance of footnotes, tables, and figures, customizing
 lists, et cetera.
\layout Standard

Here's a summary:
\layout List
\labelwidthstring 00.00.0000

TeX: Typesetting language with macro capability.
\layout List
\labelwidthstring 00.00.0000

LaTeX: Macro package built upon TeX\SpecialChar \@.

\layout List
\labelwidthstring 00.00.0000

classes: Descriptions of a type of document, using LaTeX\SpecialChar \@.

\layout List
\labelwidthstring 00.00.0000

styles: Alters the default behavior of LaTeX in some way.
\layout List
\labelwidthstring 00.00.0000

LyX: Visual, WYSIWYM word-processor that uses LaTeX in all its glory to
 do its printing.
\layout Standard

The idea of this section was to try and explain 
\emph on 
why
\emph default 
 LyX works somewhat differently from other word processors.
 The reason is simple: LyX uses LaTeX as its printing backend.
 Just like LaTeX, LyX focuses on the context of your writing --- 
\emph on 
what
\emph default 
 you are typing.
 The computer then handles how it should look.
\layout Standard

Oh --- one last thing.
 LaTeX is pronounced like TeX is.
 It rhymes with 
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 

hey blech.
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 


\begin_inset Foot
collapsed true

\layout Standard

or 
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 

ha blech
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

, depending on how you pronounce your 
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 

a
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

s\SpecialChar \ldots{}

\end_inset 

 Usually.
 Lamport says in his book, though, that 
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 


\emph on 
lay
\emph default 
-tecks is also possible
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

.
 
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 

LyX,
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

 on the other hand, is pronounced 
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 

licks.
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

 Or 
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 

lucks,
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

 or 
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 

looks,
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

 depending on what country you're from \SpecialChar \ldots{}
 but numerous holy wars and flame
 fests have been started over this issue on the LyX mailing lists, so please
 just pronounce it however you please.
 Just don't pronounce it 
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 

word
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

.
 
\family typewriter 
:-)
\layout Chapter

Navigating the Documentation
\layout Standard

To make it easier to answer your questions and describe all of the features
 of LyX, the documentation has been split up into several different files.
 Each one has its own purpose, as described below.
 Before you go plowing into any of those files, however, you should read
 this chapter thoroughly first, since it contains a lot of useful information
 and commentary that can save you some time.
\layout Standard

Although LyX is now well past the 
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 

version 1.0
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

 mark, some of the documentation may be incomplete or a bit out of date,
 though we try to keep up.
 Like the rest of LyX, the manuals are the work of a group of volunteers
 who have 
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 

Real Jobs
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

, families, dishes to clean, kitty litter to dispose of, et cetera.
 If you want to help out, be sure to read Section\SpecialChar ~

\begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{sec:Contrib}

\end_inset 

 in addition to the rest of this document.)
\layout Standard

Also, please do us a favor---if anything in these manuals confuses you,
 is unclear, or wrong, don't hesitate to let us know! You can reach the
 current document maintainers by mailing to 
\family typewriter 
lyx-docs@lists.lyx.org
\family default 
.
 If you have questions which are not obviously answered in the documentation,
 and need help fast, there is an active users' mailing list which you can
 reach at 
\family typewriter 
lyx-users@lists.lyx.org
\family default 
.
\layout Section

The Format of the Manuals
\layout Standard

Some of you may have printed out the manual(s).
 Others may be reading it online, within LyX as a file.
 For those reading online, there are some differences from the printed version.
 First, the title is simply at the top of the document, not formatted on
 a separate page as in some of the printed versions.
 Nor are any of the footnotes or the Table of Contents visible.
 To open a footnote, which looks like this,
\begin_inset Foot
collapsed true

\layout Standard

Hi! 
\layout Standard

To close me, click on the grey box on the top left of this box, the one
 with the word 
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 

foot
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

 in it.
\end_inset 

 click on it with the left mouse button.
 For the Table of Contents, either click on the grey box, or click on the
 
\family sans 
\bar under 
N
\bar default 
avigate
\family default 
 menu, where the contents are displayed automatically\SpecialChar \@.
 (Try it!)
\layout Standard

In the printed manuals, all cross-references appear as the actual numbers
 for a chapter, section, subsection, and so on.
 Online, however, all cross-references appear as a grey box like the following:
 
\begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{sec:Contrib}

\end_inset 

.
 (The printed manuals show a number instead.) If you click on that box with
 the left mouse button, a dialog box will appear containing a list of all
 the cross-references in the document.
 This introduction has only one named 
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 

sec:Contrib
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

.
 You can go to the section the referred to by clicking the button labeled
 "Go to reference".
 Going back to where you came from is just as easy.
 Clicking on 
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 

Go back
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

 or typing 
\family sans 
C-<
\family default 
 will take you back to your earlier location.
 (What does 
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 


\family sans 
C-<
\family default 

\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

 mean? See below.)
\layout Standard

Now that we've cleared up some of the differences between the printed and
 online versions of this file, we can start looking at the format of this
 document.
 You'll occasionally notice things in different fonts:
\layout Itemize


\emph on 
Emphasized Style
\emph default 
 is used for general emphasis, generic arguments, book titles, names of
 sections of other manuals, and notes from the authors.
\layout Itemize


\family typewriter 
Typewriter
\family default 
 is used for program and file names, LaTeX code, and LyX code and functions.
\layout Itemize


\family sans 
Sans Serif
\family default 
 is used for menu, button, or dialog box names, and the names of keyboard
 keys.
\layout Itemize


\noun on 
Noun Style
\noun default 
 is used for people's names.
\layout Standard

For menu accelerator keys and other more obscure keybindings, you'll probably
 get referred to the 
\emph on 
Key Bindings
\emph default 
 section of the 
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 


\emph on 
Extended Features Manual
\emph default 

\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

 (the file 
\family typewriter 
Extended.lyx
\family default 
).
 When we do need to reference keys, we'll use the following prefixing convention
:
\layout Itemize


\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 


\family sans 
C-
\family default 

\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

 indicates the 
\family sans 
Control-
\family default 
 key.
\layout Itemize


\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 


\family sans 
S-
\family default 

\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

 indicates the 
\family sans 
Shift-
\family default 
 key.
\layout Itemize


\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 


\family sans 
M-
\family default 

\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

 indicates the 
\family sans 
Meta-
\family default 
 key, which on some keyboards will be the 
\family sans 
Alt-
\family default 
 key.
\layout Itemize


\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 


\family sans 
F1
\family default 

\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

 \SpecialChar \ldots{}
 
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 


\family sans 
F12
\family default 

\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

 are the function keys.
\layout Itemize


\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 


\family sans 
Esc
\family default 

\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

 is the escape key.
\layout Itemize


\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 


\family sans 
Left
\family default 

\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

 
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 


\family sans 
Right
\family default 

\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

 
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 


\family sans 
Up
\family default 

\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

 
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 


\family sans 
Down
\family default 

\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

: self-explanatory.
\layout Itemize


\family sans 

\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 

Insert
\family default 

\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

 
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 


\family sans 
Delete
\family default 

\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

 
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 


\family sans 
Home
\family default 

\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

 
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 


\family sans 
End
\family default 

\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

 
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 


\family sans 
PageUp
\family default 

\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

 
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 


\family sans 
PageDown
\family default 

\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

: these are the 6 keys that appear above the cursor keys on many PC keyboards.
 
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 


\family sans 
PageUp
\family default 

\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

 and 
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 


\family sans 
PageDown
\family default 

\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

 are called 
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 


\family sans 
Prior
\family default 

\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

 and 
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 


\family sans 
Next
\family default 

\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

 on some keyboards.
\layout Itemize


\family sans 
Return
\family default 
 and 
\family sans 
Enter
\family default 
 both refer to the same key.
 Some keyboards label the 
\family sans 
Return
\family default 
 key as 
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 

Return,
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

 others as 
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 

Enter,
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

 still others have two keys.
 LyX treats all of them as the same key, so we'll use 
\family sans 
Return
\family default 
 and 
\family sans 
Enter
\family default 
 interchangeably.
\layout Standard

You'll also see something like 
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 

(See 
\emph on 

\begin_inset Quotes els
\end_inset 

Extended
\emph default 

\begin_inset Quotes ers
\end_inset 

)
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

 from time to time.
 We've listed the possible default keybindings for a function in its entry
 in the 
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 


\emph on 
Extended Features Manual
\emph default 
,
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

 so check there, too.
 Note that there are two different keybinding maps in common use in the
 LyX community: the 
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 

CUA
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

 style which is the default and familiar to those coming from the PC world,
 and the 
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 

emacs
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

 style, which is common with those who 
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 

grew up
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

 on Unix systems and use the Emacs editor.
 Unless specifically noted, the keybindings in the documentation are from
 the default CUA map.
 If you like Emacs, you should be smart enough to read the documentation
 and figure out the bindings on your own.
\layout Section

The Manuals
\layout Standard

The following list describes the contents of each of the files in the documentat
ion:
\layout Description


\emph on 
Introduction
\begin_deeper 
\layout Standard

This file.
\end_deeper 
\layout Description


\emph on 
Tutorial 
\begin_deeper 
\layout Standard

If you are new to LyX, and have never used LaTeX before, you should start
 here.
 If you think LaTeX is the stuff they make condoms out of, then you definitely
 need to reread Chapter 1, then read the 
\emph on 
Tutorial
\emph default 
.
 Note that after you read the 
\emph on 
Tutorial
\emph default 
, you'll probably still think LaTeX is some stretchy substance --- but you
 
\emph on 
will
\emph default 
 know how to use LyX.
\layout Standard

If you 
\emph on 
have
\emph default 
 used LaTeX before, you should still read the 
\emph on 
Tutorial
\emph default 
, starting with the section on 
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 

LyX for LaTeX users.
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

 (Skimming the rest of the document wouldn't hurt, either.)
\layout Standard

If, at any time, you find yourself feeling a bit clueless with respect to
 LyX, try perusing the 
\emph on 
Tutorial
\emph default 
 before diving into any of the other manuals.
 It's a good springboard.
\end_deeper 
\layout Description


\emph on 
User's\SpecialChar ~
Guide
\begin_deeper 
\layout Standard

The primary documentation.
 We'll cover 
\emph on 
most
\emph default 
 of the basic operation and available features of LyX here.
 The main manual assumes that you've read the 
\emph on 
Tutorial
\emph default 
.
\end_deeper 
\layout Description


\emph on 
Extended\SpecialChar ~
Features
\begin_deeper 
\layout Standard

Extension of the 
\emph on 
User's Guide
\emph default 
.
 Documents how to use raw LaTeX commands, additional layouts, and special-purpos
e editing features, and includes some of the (rather bizarre, but nifty)
 tricks of the LaTeX masters.
\end_deeper 
\layout Description


\emph on 
Customization
\begin_deeper 
\layout Standard

A description of advanced LyX features, including how to customize the overall
 behavior of LyX\SpecialChar \@.
 This includes such things as keybindings, internationalization,
 and configuration files.
 Don't even think of going in here until you read the 
\emph on 
Tutorial
\emph default 
.
\end_deeper 
\layout Description


\emph on 
LaTeX\SpecialChar ~
configuration
\begin_deeper 
\layout Standard

LyX investigates your system upon installation.
 This file contains info on what LyX learned about your installation.
 Check it to see if you're missing something you might like to have.
\end_deeper 
\layout Standard

These files will reference one another as necessary.
 For example, the 
\emph on 
User's Guide
\emph default 
 contains 
\emph on 
some
\emph default 
 information on installation and customization, but refers the reader to
 the 
\emph on 
Customization Manual
\emph default 
 for more information.
\layout Standard

We'll state again an important point:
\layout Standard
\added_space_top bigskip \added_space_bottom bigskip \align center 
If you are new to LyX, read the 
\emph on 
Tutorial
\emph default 
.
 Now\SpecialChar \@.

\layout Standard

Otherwise, you could needlessly frustrate yourself.
 LyX does all that you need a word processor to do, but using a different
 approach.
\layout Chapter


\begin_inset LatexCommand \label{sec:Contrib}

\end_inset 

Contributing to the LyX Project
\layout Section

Contributing to LyX
\layout Standard

LyX is mostly written in C++ (the LaTeX importer is written in Perl).
 It is a large project, and as a result it is not free from bugs, or the
 need for improvements in the source code.
\layout Subsection

Reporting a bug
\layout Standard

While using LyX, you may find behaviour which you consider a bug.
 Crashes, though rare, can happen.
 User interface problems are considered major bugs by the LyX team: especially
 helpful are indications of parts of the LyX interface you find confusing,
 or unclear.
\layout Standard

LyX has a bug tracking system, which you can find at 
\family typewriter 

\begin_inset LatexCommand \htmlurl[LyX bug tracker]{http://bugzilla.lyx.org/}

\end_inset 


\family default 
.
 You should check the bug tracker before reporting any bugs, in case it
 has already been reported.
 If you have a comment on an existing bug, or wish to report a new bug,
 you may either use the bug tracker, or send an e-mail to the development
 mailing list, 
\family typewriter 
lyx-devel@lists.lyx.org
\family default 
.
 Archives of this list are linked from the main LyX website, 
\family typewriter 

\begin_inset LatexCommand \htmlurl[LyX website]{http://www.lyx.org/}

\end_inset 


\family default 
.
\layout Standard

A good (useful) bug report will at a minimum include the version of LyX
 you are having the problem with.
 Accurate, detailed descriptions are preferred - the more time developers
 have to spend to pinpoint the source of a bug, the less time they have
 for other improvements.
 Mention the system and system version you are running LyX with.
 Give the versions of the libraries you have installed on your system, and,
 if relevant, the versions of external programs that LyX uses.
 If it's a compilation or configuration problem, include the file 
\family typewriter 
config.log
\family default 
, and mention which compiler you are using.
 
\layout Standard

If you can make LyX crash, please take the time to produce a backtrace with
 a non-stripped lyx executable.
 The one built in the source directory is per default not stripped, while
 the installed binary is stripped.
 So, run LyX from gdb by typing, for example, 
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 


\family typewriter 
\size small 
gdb /users/steve/lyx-1.0.x/src/lyx
\family default 
\size default 

\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

 and then 
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 


\family typewriter 
\size small 
run
\family default 
\size default 

\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

.
 Make LyX crash and you'll return to gdb.
 Use 
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 


\family typewriter 
\size small 
bt
\family default 
\size default 

\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

 to produce a backtrace and include the output in the bug report
\begin_inset Foot
collapsed true

\layout Standard

if you want to be thorough, use the 
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 


\family typewriter 
info locals
\family default 

\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

 and 
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset 


\family typewriter 
up
\family default 

\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset 

 commands to print out the values of local variables at a few stack levels.
\end_inset 

.
 If possible, then a description of a way to reproduce the bug is more important
 than a backtrace, because then we have the possibility to roll our own
 backtrace.
 If the bug is not easily reproducible, a backtrace is essential, because
 then that might be all we've got.
\layout Subsection

Contributing fixes and new features
\layout Standard

If you have made changes to LyX's source that you think should become part
 of LyX, send your changes as a diff file (in unified format) to the development
 list referenced above, along with a change log, and a description of what
 your patch does.
\layout Section

Contributing to the Documentation
\layout Standard

LyX's documentation is extensive; however LyX is under constant development,
 and each new release adds new features.
 You may find some documentation needs improvement.
 This section describes what to do if you find an error, or have some suggestion
s for improving the documentation.
\layout Subsection

Reporting Errors in the Manuals
\layout Standard

If you find a problem with the documentation, send a message to the mailing
 list 
\family typewriter 
lyx-docs@lists.lyx.org
\family default 
.
 The documentation team will make any necessary fixes.
\layout Subsection

Joining the Documentation Team.
\layout Standard

The LyX Documentation Project, like anything else in the LyX project, can
 always use assistance! If you're interested in contributing to the Documentatio
n Project, you need to do the following assignment 
\emph on 
first
\emph default 
:
\layout Enumerate

Get the latest LyX source code.
 Untar it.
\begin_inset Foot
collapsed true

\layout Standard

The more adventurous can grab the latest documentation anonymously from
 the LyX CVS repository - it is contained in the 
\family typewriter 
lyxdoc
\family default 
 module.
\end_inset 

 You will find a directory inside the main tree called 
\family typewriter 
lib/doc/
\family default 
.
 Inside that directory is a file called 
\family typewriter 
DocStyle.lyx
\family default 
.
 Read it; it's the style sheet for the documentation.
\layout Enumerate

Next, read the 
\emph on 
User's Guide
\emph default 
 and the 
\emph on 
Tutorial
\emph default 
.
 
\begin_deeper 
\layout Standard

The point of this exercise is to give you ideas.
 The 
\emph on 
Tutorial
\emph default 
 and 
\emph on 
User's Guide
\emph default 
 is likely to be the most up-to-date of all of the documentation.
 You should be able to glean some insights into how we want the manuals
 to read and to look.
\end_deeper 
\layout Enumerate

Contact the team at: 
\begin_deeper 
\layout Standard


\family typewriter 
lyx-docs@lists.lyx.org
\layout Standard

to discuss your intended changes, and get some feedback on them.
\end_deeper 
\layout Standard

The changes you wish to make may range from improving clarity of the text,
 to doing major re-structuring of the documentation.
 Any and all improvements are gladly received.
\the_end