Persuade me to write my thesis in ConTeXt, or not

Compelling argument to stay with the "better the devil you know".

I have about a month and a half to collect the results and write everything down.

ContTeXt, is an excellent format, but has a steep learning curve. I don't think a month and a half is adequate to master it never mind "collect the results and write everything down."


I am not sure if you are asking a real question. It is more like you are seeking an advice so here it comes...

As somebody who spent most of my adult life in academia, I would very strongly advise you that you focus on the content of your master thesis as oppose to waste your limited time learning new fancy tools for writing the thesis. So unless the ConTeXt is the part of your thesis research stay as far away as possible from ConTeXt for the next month and a half. I would give you the same advice even if the only tool you had to write your thesis was a pencil and a paper.

How you spend your time after you complete your master thesis is entirely up to you and your potential employer. I would encourage you to try as many things as you have time for. So make learning ConTeXt your #1 priority after you graduate.


I have about a month and a half to collect the results and write everything down.

I have written a couple of CS theses and have been supervising a lot more of them. Oh, I know your attitude ("I have to write my thesis in short time. Let's try a new tool!") well, too well. It is so common among CS students, especially among the better ones. We love challenges! We love learning new things! We love cool tools! We love...

It is an utterly wrong idea!

While I do sympathize with the wish to make "thesis writing more fun", you are in fact asking us for allowance to procrastinate from it. It is not about LaTeX vs. ConTeX! Ask yourself about your real motivation.

Believe me: Six weeks already is pretty short time for a good masters thesis!

Use the tools you are used to and start writing today!