I am thinking seriously about adopting “Think Python” by Allen B. Downey as the SI502 textbook. I like this book in particular because it is open and as such, I can alter it towards my ultimate goal of a book titled “Python for Informatics” which is focused on data analysis in Python. Think Python is a good starting point and saves me from writing the basic stuff about variables, loops, etc.

It is written in LaTeX and so I need to learn LaTeX – here are my notes so far for getting LaTeX up and running under Mac OS/X and getting the ThinkPython book to render.

Install the MacTeX-2009 Distribution
http://www.tug.org/mactex/2009/
It needs a style file which you install in the main book directory:
LATEX to HTML - http://hevea.inria.fr/
curl -O http://hevea.inria.fr/distri/hevea.sty
Then I run these commands manually since I don't
have make installed because it is my
Air is always short on disk space :(
latex book
makeindex book
latex book
dvips -t letter -Ppdf -o thinkpython.ps book
open thinkpython.ps

Then the issue is how to make new figures – Allen uses the classic XFig – I am looking for an alternative – I found two.

I found jPicEdt described on a Forum on MacRumors. But I simply could not figure out how to change Font size – so I kept looking.

Then I found LaTeXDraw – and while the UI confuses me – I did figure out how to put up a text box and change the font in about 45 minutes – urrg. So I think I can make new EPS figures if I want to add a chapter or two to the book.

So it looks like I can write text, make figures and off I go. I might even learn to like LaTeX… Many thanks to Allen B. Downey for having a great book with a nice copyright. Off I go remixing your stuff… :)