The Comprehensive TeX Archive Network
    
      The Comprehensive TeX Archive Network (CTAN) is the central place for
      all kinds of material around TeX. CTAN has currently
      6827 packages. 
      3103 contributors have
      contributed to it. Most of the packages are free and can be downloaded and
      used immediately.
    
  
    
      
      
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	Background of CTAN
	
	  If you are interested in the background of the Comprehensive
	  TeX Archive Network you can read more on
	
	
       
      
     
    
      
	Did you know?
        
	
	  The topic Font symbol maths
	  in the TeX Catalogue has
	  25 packages
	  for collections of mathematical symbols.
	
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	TeX
         
	
	 TeX is a typesetting program designed for high-quality composition of
	 material that contains a lot of mathematical and technical expressions.
	 It has been adopted by many authors and publishers who generate
	 technical books and papers. It was created by
	 Professor Donald
	 E.Knuth of Stanford University, originally for preparation
         of his book series
	 “The
	 Art of Computer Programming”. TeX has been made freely
	 available by Knuth.
	
	
	 From these origins a whole eco-system of distributions, macro packages,
	 and supporting programs has arisen.
	
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	Download a TeX System
	
	  CTAN provides complete ready-to run TeX systems for various
	  platforms:
	
	
	- TeX Live a
	  cross-platform TeX system. It includes support for most
	  Unix-like systems, including GNU/Linux, Mac OS X,
	  and Windows.
- MacTeX an easy to
	  install TeX system for Mac OS X, based on TeX Live.
          It also includes a native Mac installer, the TeXShop
	  front-end, and additional Mac-specific tools.
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