1 This is a LyX development release
2 ---------------------------------
4 The LyX Team has adopted a new development model and
5 tries to keep the development version stable as far
6 as possible, but since the program is changing, the
7 development version will be less stable than the
10 So, don't use this development version on your production
11 documents without testing everything in depth first.
16 LyX is an advanced open-source "document processor". Unlike
17 standard word processors, LyX encourages writing based on the
18 structure of your documents, not their appearance. It lets you
19 concentrate on writing, leaving details of visual layout to the
22 You can read more about this concept in the documentation,
23 which you'll find under the Help menu. If you plan to use LyX,
24 you really should read about it to be able to make the best of
29 LyX is not just another word processor that claims to be a
30 Desktop Publishing program. It's a more modern way of
31 creating documents that look much nicer, but without wasting
32 time with layout-fiddling. For these reasons you might need
33 little time to get used to the differences.
34 If you are looking for a free Desktop Publishing program for
35 Unix, you will be disappointed.
37 What do I need to run LyX?
39 A Unix-like system or OS/2 with XFree
40 At least X11 Release 5
41 A decent LaTeX2e installation (e.g. teTeX or NTeX) not older
43 Optionally ghostscript and ghostview (or compatible)
44 Perl5.002 or later to import LaTeX files into LyX
50 How do I install a binary distribution of LyX?
52 Unpack it and run it. We recommend unpacking it in /usr/local,
53 but it should work anywhere. In particular, you can try LyX
54 in a temporary directory before installing permanently by
57 We recommend that you configure LyX system-wide by copying the
58 file share/lyx/lyxrc.example to share/lyx/lyxrc, and then
59 reading and modifying it.
61 You should read the notes regarding this particular build in
64 How do I upgrade from an earlier LyX version?
66 Read the file UPGRADING for info on this subject.
67 If you are upgrading from version 0.12.0 or later, you don't
68 need to do anything special.
70 What do I need to compile LyX from the source distribution?
72 1. A good c++ compiler. Development is being done mainly on
73 gcc/g++, but many others work.
74 2. The Xforms library version 0.88 (recommended) or 0.89.
75 3. LibXpm version 4.7 (or newer).
77 Read the file "INSTALL" for more information on compiling.
79 Okay, I've installed LyX. What now?
81 Once you've installed it, and everything looks fine, go read
82 the "Introduction" item under the Help menu. You should follow
83 the instructions there, which tell you to read (or at least skim)
84 the Tutorial. After that, you should also read "Help/LaTeX
85 configuration" which provides info on your LaTeX configuration
86 as LyX sees it. You might be missing a package or two that you'd
89 User-level configuration is possible with a file "~/.lyx/lyxrc".
90 You can use the system-wide lyxrc file (which should be somewhere
91 like /usr/local/share/lyx/lyxrc) as a template for your personal
92 lyxrc file. Remember that a personal configuration file will be
93 used instead of, not in addition to, any system-wide file.
95 Does LyX have support for non-English speakers/writers/readers?
97 Yes. LyX supports writing in many languages.
99 Menus and error messages have been translated to the following
100 languages (* means there are language-specific keyboard menu
125 Keymaps can ease typing in one or more of the following languages:
138 Internet resources of relevance to LyX
140 The LyX homepage contains valuable information about LyX and the
141 various LyX mailing lists, as well as links to mirrors and other
142 LyX homepages around the world:
145 Main LyX archive site:
146 ftp://ftp.lyx.org/pub/lyx/
148 The LyX Development page has information about the development
149 effort. LyX is now under CVS control, so you can get the very
150 latest sources from there at any time.
151 http://www.devel.lyx.org/
152 ftp://www.devel.lyx.org/pub/lyx/
154 How do I submit a bug report?
156 If possible, read the "Known Bugs" document found under the
157 Help menu. You'll find detailed info on submitting bug reports
160 You should also check the BUGS file in this directory.
162 If you can't do that, send details to the LyX Developers mailing
163 list. Don't forget to mention which version you are having
166 How can I participate in the development of LyX?
168 Any help with the development of LyX is greatly appreciated--
169 after all LyX wouldn't be what it is today without the help
170 of volunteers. We need your help!
172 If you want to work on LyX, you should contact the developer's
173 mailing list for discussion on how to do your stuff. LyX is being
174 cleaned up, and therefore it's important to follow some rules.
175 Read about those rules in development/Code_rules/.
177 If you don't know C++, there are many other ways to contribute.
178 Write documentation. Help to internationalize LyX by translating
179 documentation or menus/error messages, or by writing a new keymap.
180 Write a new textclass. Work on reLyX (Perl). Find bugs (but please
181 read the list of known bugs first). Contribute money. Or just offer
182 feature suggestions (but please read the online TODO list first).
184 Thank you for trying LyX, and we appreciate your feedback in the mailing