The best way to typeset mathematics is with LaTeX. LaTeX is a macro running on top of the TeX typesetting software originally developed by Donald Knuth. There are many freeware distributions of TeX. TeX's quality of typesetting far exceeds the quality of typesetting by any Microsoft product.
Below is a chart comparing the ease of use compared to the complexity of the document for LaTeX and MS Word. For a very simple document, MS Word will take less effort. However, as soon as a document become somewhat complex, for example contains mathematical equations, LaTeX will take less effort. Extremely complex documents, such as a mathematics textbook, are nearly impossible to create with MS Word, but only take a moderate amount of effort with LaTeX.
- MiKTeX is a freeware distribution of TeX for MS Windows
- WinEdt is my favorite text editor for producing LaTeX files while using MS Windows. It is not free, but its price is very reasonable.
- Some freeware text editors that are well suited to create LaTeX files and that integrate well with MiKTeX are TeXMaker, TeXnicCenter, and LaTeXEditor (LEd). When I tested these editors, I had a slight preference for LEd.
- The Not So Short Introduction to LaTeX 2e - a tutorial for learning LaTeX
- TeX Users Group
- Kile is an easy to use Linux KDE editor for creating LaTeX files.
Other Software
- My favorite web browser is Firefox
- My favorite email program is Thunderbird
- OpenOffice is a reasonably good free alternative to MS Office.
