Blogging/BBS Software and LaTeX ?

[n2ize]

I recently set up an experimental blog (I am also going to experiment with some BBS software)... that, if it proves satisfactory, I am going to use in conjunction with a math book I am writing.

My issue, I would like to be able to have things work such that persons making blog/bbs entries can format their messages using LaTeX markup, or similar formatting which allows correct formatting of mathematical exptressions.
i.e. integral signs, summation signs, fractions, matrices,

One obvious workaround is to simply crreate a short document in LaTeX, convert it to an image, and then include the documentation as an inline image in the blog or BBS entry. That does work but it's a PITA and doesn't always look nice.

I would like the person making the entry to simply be able to use the appropriate LaTeX markup directly in the post and have it show up when he clicks enter.

I have seen this done on some forums, such as "physicsforums.com". maybe I should head on up there and ask them. Otherwise, does anyone have anyideas as to how this can be done with blogging/bbs software ? Or is it one of those deals where I am just going to have to hack the software myself and figure it out ? Of course it could be done via the "inline image"idea discussed ablove but I'd rather make it easier.

Any help , hints, etc appreciated. I am sort of new to using BBS and blogging software and I feel it mich be a big help in this upcoming project.

[dj1yfk]

There are several ways to accomplish this, most are just using a real LaTeX installation as backend. A while ago, I found an excellent alternative, called "mimetex". It takes LaTeX syntax as a input and returns a GIF graphic with the rendered formula. It is not based on TeX, it's completely written from scratch, which imposes a few limitations, but also makes it very compact (static binary size < 1MB).

Check out the website: http://www.forkosh.com/mimetex.html

[n2ize]

There are several ways to accomplish this, most are just using a real LaTeX installation as backend. A while ago, I found an excellent alternative, called "mimetex". It takes LaTeX syntax as a input and returns a GIF graphic with the rendered formula. It is not based on TeX, it's completely written from scratch, which imposes a few limitations, but also makes it very compact (static binary size < 1MB).

Check out the website: http://www.forkosh.com/mimetex.html

This might just fit the bill in as far as wha tI am looking for.This might be a nice quick fix for what I want to do.

I downloaded it and I'll test it out later.

Thanks. Much appreciated.

[n2ize]

Just on a quick note. I gave the sample he has running on his site a try and so far it looks good. Now all I need to do is put the downloaded version up on my server and give it a spin