\title{\LamSTeX{} Goes Public} \LamSTeX{}, version 2.0, is now public domain software. I am hoping that it will be placed in various archives, and that TUG and others will distribute~% it. For questions about \LamSTeX{}, I may be contacted via email: {\tt spivak@math15.rice.edu} For those unfamiliar with \LamSTeX{}, {\it vis a vis} \LaTeX, here are some salient points: \bitem \LamSTeX{} is not $\cal AMS$-\LaTeX! \bitem \LamSTeX{} is an extension of \AmSTeX, and thus almost completely compatible with plain \TeX\ (an additional file, {\tt pcompat.tex}, provides complete compatibility, by overriding certain changes made in \AmSTeX). \bitem \LamSTeX{} provides essentially the same functionality as \LaTeX, although the syntax is usually more concise. \bitem \LamSTeX{} also provides this functionality in a much more flexible form; all automatic numbering schemes can easily be modified for special circumstances (many illustrations of the importance of this flexibility are given in the \LamSTeX\ Manual). \bitem \LamSTeX{} can now interface with \BibTeX. \bitem \LamSTeX{} provides many additional fcatures, only a few of which can be indicated here: \itemitem{(1)}Of particular interest are complicated commutative diagrams -- at least as professional-looking as those that appear in journals -- and partitioned matrices. \itemitem{(2)}The table macros generally provide much more professional looking tables than other packages, because of the close attention to struts, because of simple methods of extending lines between rows when needed, etc. \itemitem{(3)}\LamSTeX{} has an extensive set of commands for automatic placement of figures and tables. \bitem Many \LaTeX\ difficulties just now being addressed have simply never existed in \LamSTeX{}. For example, there are no such things as `fragile' commands in \LamSTeX{}, and no worries about long |\write|'s and undesired expansions in |\write|'s to auxiliary files (like the |.toc| file). Arbitrarily long literal mode material can split across pages. \bitem The \LamSTeX{}{\it Wizard's Manual\/} provides {\sc extensive} documention; it explains in complete detail the reasons for every single device in the code. \bitem The \LamSTeX{} {\it Style File Designer's Manual\/} provides documentation for designing style files; it is essentially an extract from the {\it Wizard's Manual}, covering just those topics that might be needed by style designers. \bitem Writing the {\it Wizard's Manual\/} afforded me the opportunity to completely rewrite \LamSTeX{}. Version 2.0 has many small bug fixes, important extensions, and more efficient code. In addition, the code is much more modular, allowing changes for different style files to be made much more easily. \bitem I will support \LamSTeX{} not only with bug fixes, but with extensions that seem reasonable and desirable. The 300 page spiral bound \LamSTeX{} Manual, {\it \LamSTeX, The Synthesis}, is \$30.00 (includes shipping). The 600 page {\it Wizard's Manual\/}, presumably of extremely limited interest, is printed on demand. It is distributed in the form of approximately 300 3-hole punched pages, printed (on both sides) by laser printer. It is \$40.00, including shipping. (A free copy may be requested with every order of 15 or more \LamSTeX{} Manual.) The {\it Style File Designer's Manual\/} is not yet complete. It will probably be about 200 pages, spiral bound like the \LamSTeX{} Manual, and sold at a bargain price (perhaps \$10.00, including shipping). All manuals may be purchased through \TeX plorators. \author{Mike Spivak} % 3701 W Alabama, Suite 450-273, Houston, TX 77027