The main problem is that TEXuses lots of RAM memory and disk space.
The executable file TEX.TTP takes about 200 k , PLAIN.FMT is about 120k
and LPLAIN.FMT is about 250k and the FONT METRICS (TFM) are about 70k . The
program uses almost 1 meg of RAM so there is no room for a RAM disk. A
few extra megs of RAM would be ideal so everything could go on a RAM
disk. A hard disk is the next best. It is possible to use on a single
floppy drive, swapping disks,but it is slow.
To use LATEX use command TEX &LPLAIN filename.
This reads file LPLAIN.FMT (LATEX macro library).
Times for Latexing a 5 page document are:
- HARD DISK-
- 25 seconds to load TEX.TTP and LPLAIN, 1:15 total
- FLOPPY DISK-
- 2:23 to load TEX.TTP and LPLAIN, 3:46 total
(swapping disk)
- VAX 750-
- 0:52 CPU time. VAX lightly loaded at time.