Re: Manual package download and installation

On Thu, Mar 14, 2013 at 8:43 AM, Niemann, Hartmut <
[email protected]> wrote:

> Hello!
>
> I use MiKTeX with a few additional packages (like koma-script), and with
> switching from XP to Win7 and some new network rules in my company
> automatic package download does not work anymore. I would like to download
> the needed packages manually (using Internet Explorer) and install them
> from the local hard drive.
> How can I do that?
>

If it is only a question of network restrictions and you are allowed to
connect USB drives, you can copy the miktex archives to a portable drive
using an external network and then install from
there.

I read the recommendation to use the net installer, but I can't set its
> proxy settings either.
>

I'm in much the same situation, but with additional font complications.
Our workflow involves using fragments from TeX documents in figures and
presentations, which means the fonts in the TeX document need to be
available in Office and Adobe applications. Some publications use a
commercial Type 1 font, but support for Type 1 fonts is disappearing, so IT
involvement is needed to install OpenType versions of the fonts.  The
alternative is to prepare the publications using Cambria Math on Windows
and hope there are no problems when the final version is formatted on a
system that has the proper fonts.

You may be able to avoid network install problems using portable MiKTeX and
doing updates using an external network.   If, however, your Windows 7
configuration includes whitelisting (e.g., <
http://www.mcafee.com/us/products/application-control.aspx>) you may find
that any change in MiKTeX requires whitelist updates (e.g., IT
involvement).

Windows 7 requires admin privs to install fonts, so if you need opentype
math, Cambria Math is your only choice without IT involvement.

There are alternatives to MiKTeX such as TeX Live and the MacTeX
derivative.  Because TeX Live supports multiple platforms, you can install
it on a network share from linux or OS X and add the Windows binaries.  I
have find that TeX Live on a network share works in my Windows 7 system on
days when MiKTeX refuses to cooperate.  If you are allowed to install linux
virtual appliances you might be able to run TeX Live there.

-- 
George N. White III <[email protected]>
Head of St. Margarets Bay, Nova Scotia
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