Frequently Asked Questions
		       About The Brandiss Class

1. How do I get started?

Read Leslie Lamport's ``LaTeX, A Document Preparation System.''  Then
start from brandisssample.tex.  Many on-line resources can be found
through the TeX User's Group web page: www.tug.org.  The web site
http://www.giss.nasa.gov/latex has a Hypertext help for LaTeX
commands.  You might also read ``LaTeX2e for authors'' which can be
found at http://www-sal.cs.uiuc.edu/latex/usrguide/usrguide.html.

2. But I have to produce my thesis NOW!

Find someone in your department to help set you up with a text editor
and LaTeX system.  Fill out a copy of the brandisssample.tex file with
your own information.  Use that file as a source of basic examples.
Focus on getting your ideas down in text and when you're a few weeks
from having to hand your dissertation in, get some help with the fine
details.  Also, google "latex quick start" and pick something that
suits you.

3. Why is there a brandiss package as well as a brandiss class?

The brandiss package only includes commands to format the front pages
of the dissertation (title, signatures, abstract, etc.) and is there
to help experienced people roll their own dissertation format.  The
brandiss class uses the brandiss package and also loads the amsbook
class, sets the default font size, one-sided pagination, margins, page
numbering, and PDF compression level.  I hope the brandiss class is a
useful example to people who roll their own dissertation format.

4. Where should I install these files?

The brandiss files may reside in the same directory as your
dissertation.  However, the administrator of your computer system may
install them with local files in the appropriate subdirectories of
``localtexmf'' in a directory named ``brandiss''.

5. How do I change the margins of the document?

The brandiss class uses the ``geometry'' package to control margins
and other spacings.  So you can use the ``\geometry'' command with the
``left, right, top, bottom'' arguments.  You can learn more about the
``geometry'' package in its manual, which should be found in your
computer's ``texmf'' hierarchy.  For example, after having issued the
preamble command:

    \usepackage{geometry}

you may issue the command:

    \geometry{left=2in,right=2in}

will set the left and right margins to two inches.

6. How do I change the headers and footers of the document?

The brandiss class uses the ``fancyhdr'' package and ``fancy'' page
style to format the headers and footers.  You can learn more about the
``geometry'' package in its manual, which should be found in your
computer's ``texmf'' hierarchy.