> Why does the 'tex' function use {\it ...} to tex just about everything?
> When did this start and why? Maybe it's not wrong, but it generates
> lengthy TeX that can be frustrating to hand-tune.
well, you can blame me for this one.
tex typesets $$foobar$$ as 6 1-letter variables, while
$${\it foobar}$$ is typeset as a word; the spacing between
letters is different.
since there are many symbols in maxima which have
names of 2 or more characters, it seemed appropriate
to make tex treat them as words.
how about if $${\it foo}$$ is emitted only for symbols with
2 or more characters, and $$x$$ is emitted for 1-character symbols?
i've made other changes lately. here is the rundown:
http://cvs.sf.net/viewcvs.py/maxima/maxima/src/mactex.lisp
hope this helps,
robert dodier