General ⇒ Trouble getting started on Linux

[Glados]

Hello. I just installed Texlive-binaries using apt-get on my Mint-installation (a Ubuntu-based distro). From what I understand, this should already include a GUI, but I don't understand how to launch it. I'd like to use the official LaTeX-GUI that I know from Windows (not Miktex or TexMaker). Can anyone help me get started?

[alanq]

Hi Glados

Welcome to LaTeX on Linux!

I just installed Texlive-binaries using apt-get on my Mint-installation (a Ubuntu-based distro).

As you are new to Linux, I would suggest installing new software using the graphical package manager. I've never used Mint but, on Ubuntu you have the Ubuntu Software Centre. Doubtless Mint has something very similar.

When I start mine and type 'Latex' in the search box, I get the choice of various GUIs as well as texlive-latex-base.

From what I understand, this should already include a GUI, but I don't understand how to launch it.

texlive-latex-base should give you all you need to run LaTeX from the command line. It's very unlikely to include a GUI. As with much of Linux, the name of the game is 'choice'.

I'd like to use the official LaTeX-GUI that I know from Windows (not Miktex or TexMaker).

Unless I've missed something, there is no official LaTeX GUI. You simply choose your preference. A brief look at my software centre shows: Lyx, Kile, Texmaker, Winefish, TeXworks.

That said, there might be an 'official' GUI on Windows. If so it's likely that it's a Windows-only beast. However, search on it's name in the software centre (or apt-cache search ***) and see what comes up.

Note: You might want to search on 'xetex' (Unicode support) or 'luatex' to install those modified/advanced packages too.

[cgnieder]

I just installed Texlive-binaries using apt-get on my Mint-installation (a Ubuntu-based distro).

I'm not familiar with Mint but if it's based on Ubuntu its TeX Live may be as outdated as the one on Ubuntu. IIRC Ubuntu has TeX Live 2009 while the newest is 2012! If you're starting new with LaTeX you might as well install the most recent TeX Live which you can get here.

This will also provide the tlmgr which allows easy updates.

Regards

[Stefan Kottwitz]

Kile is a great GUI, if you like to use a complex and capable editor. I used it too, on Ubuntu, which required (automatically) installing some KDE libs. Today I prefer TeXworks though, clean and quick.

Stefan