{
  "id": 17613494,
  "title": "groff/troff macros: ms, mm, me or mom",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/01/groff-troff-macros-ms-mm-me-or-mom",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-11-01T14:09:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Lobsters",
    "slug": "lobsters",
    "url": "https://www.stephenlindholm.com/groff_macros.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "When selecting a macro package for the Unix typesetting system groff, the most straightforward option is ms. However, if you are writing a novel, consider using mom. For structured documents, mm is the recommended choice, but be prepared to invest time in understanding its documentation. Troff, the original Unix typesetting software, is not user-friendly like modern word processors, but it can be more efficient. To process a troff document, convert it to a PDF file using groff, then open the PDF to verify the results. Standard macro packages like ms, mm, me, and mom simplify document creation by providing pre-defined macros for headings, footnotes, and lists. While ms is easy to use, mm and mom offer more features. ms is suitable for technical papers, while mm supports advanced features like numbered lists and cross-references. me, created by a Berkeley developer, is more comprehensive but lacks recent updates. mom, designed for ease-of-use and ease of documentation, is a modern alternative to mm.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "ms is the easiest macro package for groff, suitable for technical papers",
    "mom offers modern ease-of-use and documentation for document creation",
    "mm provides advanced features like numbered lists and cross-references"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}