Kalcifer
All of this user’s content is licensed under CC BY 4.0.
- 25 Posts
- 188 Comments
Kalcifer@sh.itjust.worksOPto
Open Source@lemmy.ml•Typst: "as powerful as LaTeX while being much easier to learn and use"English
1·8 months ago[…] I’ve definitely had my fair share of experiences wrestling with Typst to do things that are trivial in LaTeX […]
Could you share some of these experiences? 🙂
Kalcifer@sh.itjust.worksOPto
Open Source@lemmy.ml•Typst: "as powerful as LaTeX while being much easier to learn and use"
1·8 months ago[…] [Typst] still has not reached feature parity with LaTeX […]
What, in your opinion, do you think it’s still lacking?
Kalcifer@sh.itjust.worksOPto
Open Source@lemmy.ml•Typst: "as powerful as LaTeX while being much easier to learn and use"
1·8 months ago[…] LaTeX ignores whitespace, so you can just use a formatter to space out your code and ensure the curly braces. This is not even an option in typst, which uses the space as an escape character.
I’m not sure I exactly follow what you mean. Could you elaborate?
Kalcifer@sh.itjust.worksOPto
Open Source@lemmy.ml•Typst: "as powerful as LaTeX while being much easier to learn and use"
2·8 months agoUpdate (2026-03-20T00:37Z): @Meron35@lemmy.world, it has since been found that Typst is aware of this inconsistency [7].
[…] You can see how this would start to struggle even with high school level maths, with bracketed terms and possibly fractional terms in exponents, integrals, etc.
For example, it is very difficult for me to work out the difference between the following three in typst. That is specifically not what you want from a typesetting language.
1/2(x + y) 1/x(x + y) 1/2^x(x + y)[…]
I think these are valid complaints. For clarity, this is the output that I found for each:
[1]
[2]
[3]
I was surprised by the second; I expected it to produce
[6]. I didn’t know what to expect for the third.I tried searching through the documentation [4], but I was unable to find any information that exactly defined expressions [5], and how they are grouped within the fraction when juxtaposed like in your examples.
References
- Type: Anecdote. Published: 2026-03-19T07:20Z.
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echo "#set page(width: auto, height: auto, margin: 0pt); $ 1/2(x + y) $" | typst compile - o.png
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- Type: Anecdote. Published: 2026-03-19T07:20Z.
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echo "#set page(width: auto, height: auto, margin: 0pt); $ 1/x(x + y) $" | typst compile - o.png
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- Type: Anecdote. Published: 2026-03-19T07:20Z.
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echo "#set page(width: auto, height: auto, margin: 0pt); $ 1/2^x(x + y) $" | typst compile - o.png
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- Type: Webpage. Title: “typst Documentation”. Publisher: “Typst”. Accessed: 2026-03-19T07:25Z. URI: https://typst.app/docs/.
- Type: Text. Publisher: [Type: Webpage. Publisher: “Typst”. Title: “frac”. URI: https://typst.app/docs/reference/math/frac/.]. Accessed: 2026-03-19T07:26Z. Location: §“Syntax”.
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[…] Use a slash to turn neighbouring expressions into a fraction. […]
- The quote mentions that the components within the fraction are called expressions.
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- Type: Anecdote. Published: 2026-03-19T07:39Z.
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echo "#set page(width: auto, height: auto, margin: 0pt); $ 1/x (x + y) $" | typst compile - o.png
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- Type: Comment. Author: “laurmaedje”. Publisher: [Type: Post. Title: “Inconsistencies/ambiguities with expression grouping with fractions.” (“#8002”). Author: “K4LCIFER”. Publisher: [“Github”>“typst/typst”]. Published: 2026-03-19T07:07:44.000Z. Location (URI): https://github.com/typst/typst/issues/8002#issue-4099792220.]. Published: 2026-03-19T14:41:47.000Z. Accessed: 2026-03-29T00:45Z. Location (URI): https://github.com/typst/typst/issues/8002#issuecomment-4090630691.
Kalcifer@sh.itjust.worksOPto
Open Source@lemmy.ml•Typst: "as powerful as LaTeX while being much easier to learn and use"
1·8 months ago[…]
\frac{n(n+1)}{2}in latex turns into(n(n + 1)) / 2in typst […]Note that one can also write that as
frac(n(n+1), 2)[1][4].References
- Type: Webpage. Title: “frac”. Publisher: “Typst”. Location: “Documentation”>“Reference”>“Math”>“Fraction”. Location (URI): https://typst.app/docs/reference/math/frac/. Accessed: 2026-03-18T05:34Z.
- Type: Anecdote. Published: 2026-03-19T07:51Z.
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echo "#set page(width: auto, height: auto, margin: 0pt); $ (n(n + 1)) / 2 $" | typst compile - o.png
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- Type: Anecdote. Published: 2026-03-19T07:51Z.
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echo "#set page(width: auto, height: auto, margin: 0pt); $ frac(n(n+1), 2) $" | typst compile - o.png
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- Type: Meta. Published: 2026-03-19T07:53Z.
- Both
(n(n + 1)) / 2, andfrac(n(n+1), 2)result in
in Typst [2][3]
- Both
Kalcifer@sh.itjust.worksOPto
Open Source@lemmy.ml•Typst: "as powerful as LaTeX while being much easier to learn and use"
1·8 months ago[…] For example,
\frac{n(n+1)}{2}in latex turns into(n(n + 1)) / 2in typst. The typst code is incredibly unclear - the first set of brackets with the slash together actually form the fraction operator, so neither end up visible. […]IMO, it’s only unclear if one isn’t familiar with the syntax — I think the documentation states the behaviour clearly:
[…] Multiple atoms can be grouped into a single expression using round grouping parentheses. Such parentheses are removed from the output, but you can nest multiple to force them. [1]
This isn’t in defense of Typist’s syntax, but I challenge you to show the uninitiated your example LaTeX expression,
\frac{n(n+1)}{2}, and see if they are able to accurately parse it.References
- Type: Text. Publisher: [Type: Webpage. Title: “frac”. Publisher: “Typst”. Location: “Documentation”>“Reference”>“Math”>“Fraction”. Location (URI): https://typst.app/docs/reference/math/frac/.]. Accessed: 2026-03-18T05:34Z. Location: §“Syntax”.
Kalcifer@sh.itjust.worksOPto
Open Source@lemmy.ml•Typst: "as powerful as LaTeX while being much easier to learn and use"
2·8 months ago[…] use markdown with a typst backend
How could one do that?
Kalcifer@sh.itjust.worksOPto
Open Source@lemmy.ml•Typst: "as powerful as LaTeX while being much easier to learn and use"
1·8 months agoI don’t know what Typst’s custom font support was like in the past, but, currently [1], Typst does allow the usage of custom fonts:
- The Typst CLI can use installed system fonts [1.2].
- The Typst CLI can be passed directories that should be scanned for fonts through the
--font-pathargument or theTYPST_FONT_PATHSenvironment variable [1.3]. - Fonts can also be uploaded directly to the web app [1.1].
References
- Type: Text. Publisher: [Type: Webpage. Title: “text”. URI: https://typst.app/docs/reference/text/text/#parameters-font. Publisher: “Typst”. Location: “Reference”>“Text”>“Text”]. Accessed: 2026-03-19T04:32Z. Location: §“Parameters”>§“font”>¶4.
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In the web app, […] You can provide additional fonts by uploading
.ttfor.otffiles into your project. […] -
Locally, [in the CLI,] Typst uses your installed system fonts […]
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Locally, […] in the CLI, […] you can use the
--font-pathargument orTYPST_FONT_PATHSenvironment variable to add directories that should be scanned for fonts.
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Kalcifer@sh.itjust.worksOPto
Open Source@lemmy.ml•Typst: "as powerful as LaTeX while being much easier to learn and use"English
7·8 months agoI’d say it still have a long way to go, especially for advanced use cases […]
What do you think it’s still lacking?
Kalcifer@sh.itjust.worksto
Selfhosted@lemmy.world•Do you stick to the same linux distro across your devices?English
2·8 months agoMy main server runs Ubuntu Server (I’m thinking about switching it to Debian), and my laptop and desktop both run Arch Linux. Generally, I pick whatever I think is best for the given usecase — things like stability, package availability, documentation, security, etc. are considered.
Kalcifer@sh.itjust.worksOPto
Open Source@lemmy.ml•What license(s) do you recommend, and/or not recommend, for open source hardware, and why?
1·1 year agoSee the latter part of my comment.
Kalcifer@sh.itjust.worksOPto
Open Source@lemmy.ml•What license(s) do you recommend, and/or not recommend, for open source hardware, and why?
2·1 year ago[…] thanks for following up! […]
You’re welcome 😊
Kalcifer@sh.itjust.worksOPto
Open Source@lemmy.ml•What license(s) do you recommend, and/or not recommend, for open source hardware, and why?
3·1 year ago[…] OP tell me your conclusion for best hardware licence when you get there.
I think I’m just going to go with CERN-OHL-S [1]. I have yet to find anything better, and @ganymede@lemmy.ml raised some good points regarding it [2], imo.
References
- Type: Webpage. Title: “GNU General Public License”. Publisher: “GNU Operating System”. Accessed: 2025-09-04T21:29Z. URI: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-3.0.en.html.
- Type: Post (Comment). Author: “@ganymede@lemmy.ml”. Publisher: [Type: Post. Title: “What license(s) do you recommend, and/or not recommend, for open source hardware, and why?”. Author: “@Kalcifer” (“@Kalcifer@sh.itjust.works”). Publisher: [“Lemmy”. “sh.itjust.works”. “Open Source” (“!opensource@lemmy.ml”)]. Published: 2025-09-04T21:35:12Z. URI: https://sh.itjust.works/post/45415245.]. Published: 2025-09-05T01:57:25Z. Accessed: 2025-09-16T05:42Z. URI: https://sh.itjust.works/post/45415245/20822528.
imo i wouldn’t overlook CERN too much due to apparent obscurity. that’s CERN as in WWW & LHC.
plus it’s specifically designed for hw, unlike most of the others which are more likely to lean sw centric? […]
Kalcifer@sh.itjust.worksOPto
Open Source@lemmy.ml•What license(s) do you recommend, and/or not recommend, for open source hardware, and why?
2·1 year agoimo i wouldn’t overlook CERN too much due to apparent obscurity. that’s CERN as in WWW & LHC.
plus it’s specifically designed for hw, unlike most of the others which are more likely to lean sw centric? […]
I think these are fair points!
Kalcifer@sh.itjust.worksOPto
Open Source@lemmy.ml•What license(s) do you recommend, and/or not recommend, for open source hardware, and why?English
1·1 year ago[…] When some South Koreans were jailed for upholding my license terms when they spotted their employer violating them […]
If they had a court case, do you, by chance, have a source for it?
Kalcifer@sh.itjust.worksOPto
Open Source@lemmy.ml•What license(s) do you recommend, and/or not recommend, for open source hardware, and why?English
1·1 year ago[…] I thought only the BSD license allowed corporations to profit from your work. […]
The MIT License allows this as well [1].
References
- Type: Article. Title: “MIT License”. Publisher: “Wikipedia”. Published: 2025-08-17T18:33. Accessed: 2025-09-16T05:09. URI: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MIT_License.
- Type: Text. Location: ¶2.
[…] the MIT License allows reuse within proprietary software, provided that all copies of the software or its substantial portions include a copy of the terms of the MIT License and also a copyright notice. […]
- Type: Text. Location: ¶2.
- Type: Article. Title: “MIT License”. Publisher: “Wikipedia”. Published: 2025-08-17T18:33. Accessed: 2025-09-16T05:09. URI: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MIT_License.
Kalcifer@sh.itjust.worksOPto
Open Source@lemmy.ml•What license(s) do you recommend, and/or not recommend, for open source hardware, and why?
1·1 year ago[…] It was just explained to me by many on Lemmy that not just GPL but the actual definition of Open Source requires that you allow large corporations to profit off your work. […]
IMO, you can define it, or any word, however you want; all that matters is that the definitions are agreed upon between the parties engaging in conversation.
Kalcifer@sh.itjust.worksOPto
Open Source@lemmy.ml•What license(s) do you recommend, and/or not recommend, for open source hardware, and why?English
7·1 year agoHm, I’ve come across a number of statements that the GPL isn’t well suited to hardware [1][2][3], but I’m not well enough versed in IP law to be confident in my understanding or the soundness of their rationale. Directly from the GNU Operating System:
Any material that can be copyrighted can be licensed under the GPL. GPLv3 can also be used to license materials covered by other copyright-like laws, such as semiconductor masks. So, as an example, you can release a drawing of a physical object or circuit under the GPL.
In many situations, copyright does not cover making physical hardware from a drawing. In these situations, your license for the drawing simply can’t exert any control over making or selling physical hardware, regardless of the license you use. When copyright does cover making hardware, for instance with IC masks, the GPL handles that case in a useful way. [4]
I’m not really sure.
References
- Type: Comment. Author: “K900_” (“u/K900_”). Publisher: [Type: Post. Title: “Can everything be GPL”. Author: “cyfyff” (“u/cyfyff”). Publisher: [“Reddit”. “r/linux”]. Published: 2019-05-29T04:50:43.079Z. URI: https://www.reddit.com/r/linux/comments/buaffg/can_everything_be_gpl/.]. Published: 2019-05-29T04:53:55.513Z. Accessed: 2025-09-04T22:37Z. URI: https://www.reddit.com/r/linux/comments/buaffg/comment/ep97hmd/.
[…] The GPL is also a terrible license for hardware IP (see Intel/ARM), for many reasons […]
- Type: Comment. Author: “bobc”. Publisher: [Type: Post. Title: “Using the (L)GPL as an open-source hardware license?”. Author: “mondalaci”. Publisher: “KiCad INFO”. Published: 2015-12-23T18:41:37Z. URI: https://forum.kicad.info/t/using-the-l-gpl-as-an-open-source-hardware-license/1925/1.]. Published: 2015-12-23T10:05:03.944Z. Accessed: 2025-09-04T22:42Z. URI: https://forum.kicad.info/t/using-the-l-gpl-as-an-open-source-hardware-license/1925/2.
[…] In a nutshell, GPL (and all other software licenses) rely on software being something that can be subject to copyright. In general hardware can not be copyrighted, because copyright is only granted to creative or artistic works, but with some weird exceptions like software, IC masks, yacht designs (!). “Useful articles or utility works” are not generally subject to copyright, but some powerful industrial lobbies got some concessions, as otherwise a software “work” would not be protected under IP laws, although specific software algorithms can be patented. […] tldr; use GPL or LGPL, CC-BY-SA, MIT, etc as you like, as a statement of intent, but realise they have little legal teeth. Other OSHW oriented licenses are equally ineffective to protect or control the use of electronic or hardware designs.
- Type: Post. Title: “Using GPL for hardware is a bad idea”. Author: "BeagleFury ". Publisher: “RepRap”. Published: 2010-03-29T1500. Accessed: 2025-09-04T22:46Z. URI: https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?33,40874.
[…] This in my opinion is a critical flaw… If you want the hardware to be open, first and foremost, you need a license that actually covers hardware. I’m not sure why do people cling to GPL when it does not cover hardware components, (If you search for GPL hardware, one of the top items will be Richard Stahlman saying this same thing – GPL and hardware do not make sense.) […]
- Type: Webpage>Text. Title: “Frequently Asked Questions about the GNU Licenses”. Publisher: “GNU Operating System”. Accessed: 2025-09-04T22:51Z. URI: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.en.html#GPLHardware. Location: §“Can I use the GPL to license hardware?”.
- Type: Comment. Author: “K900_” (“u/K900_”). Publisher: [Type: Post. Title: “Can everything be GPL”. Author: “cyfyff” (“u/cyfyff”). Publisher: [“Reddit”. “r/linux”]. Published: 2019-05-29T04:50:43.079Z. URI: https://www.reddit.com/r/linux/comments/buaffg/can_everything_be_gpl/.]. Published: 2019-05-29T04:53:55.513Z. Accessed: 2025-09-04T22:37Z. URI: https://www.reddit.com/r/linux/comments/buaffg/comment/ep97hmd/.
Kalcifer@sh.itjust.worksto
Open Source@lemmy.ml•Discover Hidden Gems: Open-Source Software You Should Know About
1·1 year agoLemmy [1]
References
- Type: Website. Title: “Lemmy”. Accessed: 2025-08-03T05:12Z. URI: https://join-lemmy.org/.




I’m not sure what you mean — I personally just write it in VS Code [1], and then compile it locally [2].
References