For Reading & Writing Scientific Text

Reading

To read documents in the PostScript format, Windows and Linux users need the programs GhostScript and GhostView, and for the PDF format, Adobe Reader. (With GhostView, PDF can be generated from PostScript, as PDF is easier to read.)

Most of the online textbooks are in PDF, but some web pages use MathML, the mathematical markup language that makes possible to add mathematical formulae straight into XHTML and HTML5 pages. The Firefox browser has built in MathML support, but fonts with mathematical symbols may be needed. Users of Internet Explorer need the free MathPlayer in order to view MathML.

The notebook format of Mathematica can be viewed with CDF Player.

Writing

It is easy to add mathematical formulae to web pages with ASCIIMathML, the JavaScript program by Peter Jipsen. ASCIIMathML translates formulae (written in simple LaTeX-like syntax) into MathML, the mathematical markup language.

For complex text meant for printing, LaTeX (a TeX macro package) is the choice. PDF can be generated from LaTeX source. Entering formulae takes less time in LaTeX, it is easy to refer to equations or figures, or generate bibliography. Most of mathematics and physics articles and textbooks are written in LaTeX.

MetaPost is a powerful programming language for generating PostScript graphics, suitable for drawing mathematical figures or patterns. (Most of the TeX distributions include MetaPost.)

With ConTeXt, the major competitor of LaTeX, it is easy to lay out text and generate print or online versions from the same source. Hand-in-hand with MetaPost, ConTeXt allows for flexible graphic design.

Technical Publishing with Microsoft Word gives advice on creating numbered equations, bibliography and referring to equations.

S5: A Simple Standards-Based Slide Show System is for creating slide shows that can be viewed in a browser (based on XHTML , CSS, and JavaScript).