Idea for board feature

[VirtualAce]

Since math and comp sci are so closely related, would it be possible to implement the following on this board?

1. Superscripts (for exponents)
2. Subscripts (for variable notation)
3. Derivative symbol
4. Summation symbol
5. Integral symbol


I'm sure you can already do this via PHP here, but perhaps we could have an eaiser method.

Right now it is very difficult to write out an equation on here.

[SlyMaelstrom]

Some of that could be very difficult to implement, particually the integral and summation symbol if you're going to need upper and lower bound numbers, derivative should be easy enough without any help, I would just use f'(x), superscript you can use ^, and subscript, of course, you could use the subscript operator. Other than that, I just break out my MS Paint or GIMP and draw up a quick pic of whatever I want to show. It's not too hard.

[whiteflags]

Well I think Bubba is on to something. :P There are notations for this stuff, I'm not saying that we should be able to write it (as in without some third party piece to generate it) on the board but maybe we could support something like MathML.

Or TeX. I forgot about that... thought I'd mention it now.

So it looks nice, and you would be able to put equations in context instead of lumped at the bottom with an image. Look at how civil and smart that is.

-shiftily looks around- ...I'm not saying this is a terribly easy idea.

[SlyMaelstrom]

I think it would also be difficult to ask people to learn the syntax required to properly use those tools. Leaving aside the fact that it may be very difficult and very hazzardous to implement. Have you ever seen a forum support these utilities?

[whiteflags]

> Have you ever seen a forum support these utilities?
No.
> Leaving aside the fact that it may be very difficult and very hazzardous to implement.
Hazardous is a spooky word. I don't think it's all that 'dangerous', especially since we're only discussing some way of writing math on the board. The most dangerous thing that happens is probably you don't have the right font, and you get some nice boxes instead of math symbols.

Other than that I really don't know who would use it. I just thought it's a nice, possible idea.

[anonytmouse]

>> Have you ever seen a forum support these utilities? <<

Physics Forums support LaTeX. The syntax (pdf) can be pretty complex. Extension.

[pianorain]

This site will convert LaTeX into images. You can always create the image and then upload it into your post.

[psychopath]

[offtopic] pianorain, the link in your sig is broken. [/offtopic]

[pianorain]

Does that fix it?

[ahluka]

Yes.

[Perspective]

You mean ∑ and ∫ ?

edit: and ∂

[valis]

I think it's a great idea bubba, I prefer tex over not tex and I like the idea of stuffing it right in a post.

[Decrypt]

Does that fix it?

Not for me. Apparently I'm not cool enough. I don't have the correct privileges to see the fancy whatever-you-linked-to.

[twomers]

You mean ∑ and ∫ ?

edit: and ∂

Oh, what's the ? one for?

Just go into MS word, or whatever, screenshot your equation and IMG it into the thread. Simple!



EDIT - Example given in next page

[valis]

I assume your font isn't cool enough to display the either the summation, integration, or whatever that stylish backwards 6 I'm not familiar with is. Bitstream displays all three.

edit: here's a mod that adds a [latex][/latex] bbtag http://www.vbulletin.org/forum/showt...ighlight=latex