TYPE TOOL

Text-based document markup systems such as LaTeX play a leading role in creating premium-quality scientific documents. LaTeX, which is based on the TeX typesetting program, lets the author focus on the content without having to worry about the layout. However, learning the layout language involves a considerable learning curve.

At the opposite end of the typesetting scale are graphics-based WYSIWYG editors, such as OpenOffice. The WYSIWYG interface makes common functions like type formatting, table layouts, or image placement much more easily accessible. However, features such as the typeface quality are typically inferior to the alternatives that are produced by a tool such as LaTeX.