CS 240 Lab 2: $L a T e X$

Due Mon Sep 16 at the start of class

Overview

In this lab you will practice working with $L a T e X$ , a professional typesetting system. You will be asked to use $L a T e X$ to write all documents and reports for this class. While it is possible to use other collaborative tools for writing group documents (e.g., Google Docs), $L a T e X$ produces plain-text documents that can be managed via version control, as well as producing very nice looking documents. It's also a good skill to have!

To practice using $L a T e X$ , you'll be creating a document that greatly benefits from clean typesetting: a resume. This will give you a chance to create a resume if you've never made one before, giving you a leg up when you start looking for a job. Note that your resume can be as simple or as fancy as you like---feel free to use existing templates (but be sure and cite your sources with a comment)!

You will also be putting your resumes (including their source code) under version control, so that you can see and share techniques with your classmates. You'll also be asked to start using some of the other collaboration tools offered through GitHub, specifically the Wiki so that we can gather resources for writing resumes using LaTeX.

Objectives

Become familiar with and practice using $L a T e X$
Create a resume that can be used for future job applications
Practice using git and further features of GitHub

Resources

LaTeX home page
Installing LaTeX You should download a package for your operating system; let me know if you have any problems.
Texmaker My preferred (and suggested) LaTeX editor.
LyX A graphical LaTeX system.
LaTeX Documentation A list of tutorials and documentation. The Wiki Book is probably the best "text book" for using LaTeX.
There is also lots of specific information and advice available via Google. Just be sure and cite any sources you use in a comment (marked with a %)

Details

Install $L a T e X$ and Texmaker, following the links/instructions above. Let me know if there are any problems!
Log into GitHub and access the Lab 2 repository at https://github.com/UPS-CS240-F13/Lab2.
For this lab, you will fork the repository to make your own personal copy of it. Note that this doesn't download it to your computer (making a local clone), but rather makes a clone on GitHub's servers linked to your account. We do this so that you can effectively make your own version of a project without messing with other people's versions. This is the best way to start working with/contributing to other software. See this guide for details on how to fork a repository and clone it to your computer.
Now that you've cloned the repository, make a new directory named after UPS username to hold your files (this will help avoid conflicts with other people). Start making your resume using LaTeX inside that directory. Be sure and add your main source files (e.g., .tex, .cls if you find one) and the output files (.pdf) to the version control. Do not put the extra temporary files (e.g., .log, .aux, etc) under version control!
- Pro Tip: you can specify that certain files should be excluded from your version control by adding an entry to the .gitignore file.
- Remember: using local branches can be handy for trying out different layouts, while still being able to easily revert back to old data! You are also welcome to push out commits from your local copy to your personal GitHub repo whenever you want---figure out what workflow works for you!
Your resume can take any form you want, as long as it is written in LaTeX. There are many, many examples of and templates for LaTeX resumes online; you are welcome to use any or all of these (just be sure to cite your sources in a comment at the top of the file!)
- This is the main part of the lab, but also where you are most on your own. Seek help if you need it, either from each other or from me.
- Again, your resume does not need to be fancy (you are welcome to just adapt an online template). But the more you can make it "your own", the better!
In the process of writing your resume, I expect you will come across many helpful resources, hints, or tricks for making a snazzy resume. The best thing to do with these resources is share them with others! Access the repository wiki and add an entry listing at least one resource, hint, or trick that you found helpful for writing a LaTeX resume.
- Be sure to include the name of the resource, a link to the resource, and a brief description (a sentence or two) describing what it is about and why it is helpful.
- Any links listed on this page (or linked from the latex guides page) are not eligible. Better resources would be tutorials focusing on resumes, discussions of advanced formatting, details about what should be included in a resume, etc.
- Also make sure that your resource has not already been added to the wiki! Note that the earlier you start on the assignment, the easier it will be to find a new resource ;)
- You are of course welcome to post more than one resource!
Be sure and proofread your resume, to be sure it is complete and polished!
Once your resume is completed, you will need to issue a pull request to let the administrator of the organization's repository (i.e., me) know that you have changes that should be integrated. I will review your changes, and possibly let you know if anything needs to be fixed before the request is accepted. Discussion may ensue using the built-in mechanism :)
Once your pull request is accepted (and you've added an entry to the wiki), you're all done! Note that you just need to have submitted your pull request before the assignment deadline to receive credit.

Resume Writing Tips

Career and Employment Services has good resources for writing resumes. See their Resume Guide for details. You may also get help from the Writing Center.

Remember that a strong resume...

is no more than 1 page in length
has items in reverse chronological order
puts the most important categories at the top
uses active verbs for duties and responsibilities
is specific and detailed
is consistent in its formatting
is customized to a particular job
avoids redundant objectives [despite what packets say, you almost never need an "Objective"--your objective is to get the job you're applying for!]

Some other resume resources I like:

Grading

Receiving full credit on this lab involves completion of three elements:

Submitting a polished resume [resumes with glaring errors will be marked down]. Proofread your resume!
Submitting LaTeX source code for your resume
Adding an entry to the repository wiki

If you complete these three steps, then you will receive full credit on this lab!

CS 240 Lab 2: LaTeX