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1. • CommentRowNumber1.
   • CommentAuthorAndrew Stacey
   • CommentTimeFeb 20th 2012
   • PermaLink
   Author: Andrew Stacey
   Format: MarkdownItexNow that I have a device which can't run Firefox (aka an iPad) I've realised just how *awful* those rendered images were. I've therefore taken a look at my TODO list and ticked off one more item: install MathJaX for non-compliant browsers. It appears to be working: I've tested in in Chrome on my Linux machine and Mobile Safari on my iPad. I'd be grateful if others could experiment and let me know their experiences. Some important notes: 1. The input format **is still iTeX**. The nForum still uses itex2MML to convert iTeX to MathML. Where MathJaX steps in is at that point. If the browser is incapable of displaying MathML then MathJaX converts it to HTML+CSS. Currently, the test for MathML capability is to see if you are using a Gecko-based browser (annoyingly, Chrome reports itself as "Gecko-like" but it isn't), Amaya, or IE+MathPlayer. 2. I'm loading it from a special MathJaX server, not locally. If there's a significant speed issue then I can easily install it here. On Chrome on my desktop then it takes a while, but on my iPad it's fine (please note that there's a difference between speed of *loading* and speed of *rendering*). 3. I've not applied any special customisation so the maths may not style well with the surrounding text (Chrome didn't, Mobile Safari did). 4. Although MathJaX will load if you aren't using a compatible browser (I'd like to only load it if it is actually needed, but this is a bit tricky), whether or not you use it is customisable. You can choose to have it rendered as images or just see the source as you wish. Go to your account page to set this.

   Now that I have a device which can’t run Firefox (aka an iPad) I’ve realised just how awful those rendered images were. I’ve therefore taken a look at my TODO list and ticked off one more item: install MathJaX for non-compliant browsers. It appears to be working: I’ve tested in in Chrome on my Linux machine and Mobile Safari on my iPad. I’d be grateful if others could experiment and let me know their experiences.

   Some important notes:

   1. The input format is still iTeX. The nForum still uses itex2MML to convert iTeX to MathML. Where MathJaX steps in is at that point. If the browser is incapable of displaying MathML then MathJaX converts it to HTML+CSS. Currently, the test for MathML capability is to see if you are using a Gecko-based browser (annoyingly, Chrome reports itself as “Gecko-like” but it isn’t), Amaya, or IE+MathPlayer.
   2. I’m loading it from a special MathJaX server, not locally. If there’s a significant speed issue then I can easily install it here. On Chrome on my desktop then it takes a while, but on my iPad it’s fine (please note that there’s a difference between speed of loading and speed of rendering).
   3. I’ve not applied any special customisation so the maths may not style well with the surrounding text (Chrome didn’t, Mobile Safari did).
   4. Although MathJaX will load if you aren’t using a compatible browser (I’d like to only load it if it is actually needed, but this is a bit tricky), whether or not you use it is customisable. You can choose to have it rendered as images or just see the source as you wish. Go to your account page to set this.
2. • CommentRowNumber2.
   • CommentAuthorzskoda
   • CommentTimeFeb 20th 2012
   • PermaLink
   Author: zskoda
   Format: MarkdownItexAre you talking $n$Forum only or $n$Lab as well ? One of my colleagues on an old windows machine still complains of not seeing $n$Lab formulas well (but who knows what the problem is).

   Are you talking $n$Forum only or $n$Lab as well ? One of my colleagues on an old windows machine still complains of not seeing $n$Lab formulas well (but who knows what the problem is).

3. • CommentRowNumber3.
   • CommentAuthorAndrew Stacey
   • CommentTimeFeb 20th 2012
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   Author: Andrew Stacey
   Format: MarkdownItexnForum. The nLab has has this for quite some time.

   nForum. The nLab has has this for quite some time.

4. • CommentRowNumber4.
   • CommentAuthorDavidRoberts
   • CommentTimeFeb 21st 2012
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   Author: DavidRoberts
   Format: MarkdownItexI use opera mini on my phone, and that is pretty dreadful, but it (the browser) is very much pared down to minimise traffic. I haven't tried opera mobile.

   I use opera mini on my phone, and that is pretty dreadful, but it (the browser) is very much pared down to minimise traffic. I haven’t tried opera mobile.

5. • CommentRowNumber5.
   • CommentAuthorAndrew Stacey
   • CommentTimeFeb 21st 2012
   • PermaLink
   Author: Andrew Stacey
   Format: MarkdownItexDo you mean that MathJaX is pretty dreadful on opera mini? Opera mobile looks okay, but it's really obvious that the maths elements are images (when you zoom in they scale really badly). Safari mobile at least has proper characters. If there are particular browsers where images would be more appropriate then I could do a more sophisticated browser test. Also, it's possible to choose not to use MathJaX in your preferences (the library still gets loaded, it just doesn't get used as there's no MathML on the page), using images instead.

   Do you mean that MathJaX is pretty dreadful on opera mini? Opera mobile looks okay, but it’s really obvious that the maths elements are images (when you zoom in they scale really badly). Safari mobile at least has proper characters.

   If there are particular browsers where images would be more appropriate then I could do a more sophisticated browser test. Also, it’s possible to choose not to use MathJaX in your preferences (the library still gets loaded, it just doesn’t get used as there’s no MathML on the page), using images instead.