How I'm able to take notes in mathematics lectures using LaTeX and Vim (2019)

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Using LaTeX, Vim, and tightly tuned snippets to take mathematics lecture notes in real time inspires both admiration and skepticism. Commenters praise the elegance, reproducibility, and tooling (including Inkscape workflows, Emacs/VS Code equivalents, and Typst as a lighter alternative), but many argue that such setups add cognitive load and may hinder learning compared to handwritten notes, which are often linked to better retention and easier problem‑solving. The thread also reflects on the late author of the original workflow post, noting his technical creativity and the broader need to focus on mental health and depression before tragedies occur.

Reaction to the post and its author

  • Many express admiration for the creativity, rigor, and aesthetics of the workflow and notes, and sadness at the author’s reported death.
  • Several comments mention depression and suicide, urging more attention to recognizing and treating depression early, not only reacting after tragedies.

LaTeX/Vim workflow and related tooling

  • Multiple users report using similar setups with Vim + LaTeX + snippet engines (e.g., UltiSnips, vimtex), emphasizing that programmable snippets are the main speed boost.
  • Emacs users point to YASnippet and specific guides for achieving comparable workflows.
  • Some note Python-backed snippets are powerful but can be slow in certain editors.
  • Others mention doing all homework or even all note-taking directly in LaTeX, finding it manageable and appreciating searchability and readability.

Figure creation and diagram workflows

  • A major curiosity is how the lecture-quality figures are produced in near real time.
  • Explanations reference:
    • Inkscape with a custom shortcut manager and tight integration from the editor.
    • TikZ/pgfplots plus snippets to generate plots quickly.
    • Alternatives like ipe for better LaTeX integration.
  • Several stress that the key is deep customization and keyboard-driven styles, not just using Inkscape “as is.”

Impact on learning and cognition

  • Strong split:
    • Some say this level of tooling distracts from understanding; they find pen-and-paper or minimal tools better, especially for exploratory problem solving.
    • Others report they can keep up fine and that high-quality digital notes significantly aid later study and referencing.
  • A recurring point: LaTeX is ideal for polished, final notes, but may hinder free-form thinking compared to messy scratch work.
  • Some advocate pre-reading and using class time mainly to listen, ask questions, or work problems, rather than intensive note capture.

Handwriting vs typing and individual differences

  • Links are shared claiming handwriting improves memory; others critique study designs or emphasize that behavior (summarizing vs transcribing) is the real driver.
  • Several note that personal factors matter:
    • Poor or painful handwriting pushes some toward typing.
    • Limited typing skills or LaTeX friction push others toward handwriting or tablets.
  • Suggested compromise strategies include handwriting in class then typing later, or using tablets with stylus input to retain the “handwritten” feel.