1. Introduction Python is an elegant object oriented scripting language. TeX is a high quality typesetting program. Both texd and PyTeX are Python projects that use TeX (or TeX projects that use Python). 2. texd texd is TeX run as a daemon. By removing the startup cost, texd can process small files about 30 times quicker than TeX run as a batch program. This allows TeX to be used as the typesetting engine of interactive programs. We are pleased to announce that version 0.4 of texd is available at http://cvs.sourceforge.net/cgi-bin/viewcvs.cgi/texd/ The distribution consists of 5 files README dlatex.sty formats.py story.py texd04.py If not already present, the README will show up on the Sourceforge CVS server in a day or so. It provides a callable function interface to TeX, and a sample interactive demonstration of how TeX's paragraph parameters work (written using Tk). For ease of development, this version of texd has been written in Python. It should run on any recent Debian Linux, provided * Python 2.2 or better * Tk for Python * TeX are installed. For other Linux distributions, or Unix, more work may be required - see the README. If you are interested in texd, please visit: http://sourceforge.net/projects/texd There is a developers mailing list for texd: http://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/texd-devel I'd like discussion relating to texd to be copied to this list, whenever appropriate. 3. PyTeX PyTeX is a project to use Python as the scripting front end to TeX typesetting. Think of Tcl/Tk. Tcl is a front end to the Tk toolkit. Now think of LaTeX as La/TeX. La is a TeX macro front end to the TeX typesetting program. Now think of PyTeX as Py/TeX. That's what PyTeX is. For more information about PyTeX visit: http://www.pytex.org http://sourceforge.net/projects/texd Right now, I've no objections at all if PyTeX discussion took place on the texd-devel list. In fact, I'd like it, because TeX as a callable function is a setting where we really need PyTeX. Jonathan Fine jfine@pytex.org