Useful books:
You might check out ~ruml/lib/tex
for finding the tex name of a symbol you know how to draw: detexify
the powerdot class and its manual
Wheeler has some powerdot samples
We've got a thesis template as well
graphicx
ps-tricks trees
Inkscape - vector drawing, snazzier than xfig
xfig
Dia?
tikz+pgf
gnuplot - yuck
Wheeler uses macros like this
\newcommand{\bncode}{ \begin{tabbing} 0. nn\=nn\=nn\=nn\=nn\=nn\=nn\=nn\=nn\=nn\kill } \newcommand{\ecode}{\end{tabbing}}
to format code like this
\begin{figure}
\bncode
1. while there is an \nblock\ with open nodes \\
2. \> lock; $b \leftarrow$ best free $n$block; unlock \\
3. \> while $b$ is no worse than the best free \nblock\ or \\
4. \> \> \> we've done fewer than $m$ expansions \\
5. \> \> $n \leftarrow$ best open node in $b$ \\
6. \> \> if $f(n) > f(\myit{incumbent})$, prune all open nodes in $b$ \\
7. \> \> else if $n$ is a goal \\
8. \> \> \> if $f($n$) < f(\myit{incumbent})$ \\
9. \> \> \> \> $\myit{incumbent} \leftarrow n$ \\
10. \> \> else for each child $c$ of $n$ \\
11. \> \> \> insert $c$ in the open list of the appropriate \nblock
\ecode
\caption{A sketch of the PBNF search framework.}
\label{fig:pbnf}
\end{figure}
Some people like the algorithmicx package.
How to point to the groups Latex setup:
Add the following lines to your .login file.
setenv TEXINPUTS .:~ruml/lib/tex/unhletter:~ruml/lib/tex/powerdot/run:~ruml/lib/tex/xkeyval/run:~ruml/lib/tex/xcolor:~ruml/lib/tex:
setenv DVIPSHEADERS ~ruml/lib/tex/pstricks/dvips:
setenv BSTINPUTS :.:~ruml/lib/tex:
If you happen to use inkscape to produce your posters, it is possible to include latex directly:
At the menu bar at the top, go through the following, extensions -> render -> latex formula
This will allow you to input latex in math mode, and get an equation out.