Before changing anything in the class file, check the license, you may not be allowed to make changes.

@Johannes_B I will keep that in mind. My department buddy's thesis actually got rejected and they told him make several revisions. I am not sure how one would go about making those revisions without editing the class file though.

What/Who is providing the template? If it is an official template, poke the guys responsible. If it is just some stuff handed over from one year to the next year of students .... Wanna be a LaTeX-class-file-maintainer? ;-)

I am fairly certain it was developed by a student at some point. Since the official university faculty website has no mention of it. I pasted the CTAN link below. After I finish my thesis, I do plan on cleaning up the class file (and learning some deep latex). Hopefully I can submit my work to the faculty and they can start using it as the official template.

Just saw the link: I'd suggest to write Diane a polite email referring to this question and asking her to update to match the current specs. The introduction is quite clear: You are responsible. Rename the class file to e.g. masfenix.cls, add a comment with your name and date inside and start hacking.

@Johannes_B Thanks. Last question: So a latex template is purely defined by its class file? Is a class file merely commands to keep the actual document cleaner, and that all the commands from the class file can actually be put in the .tex file itself?

Hi @masfenix, i simply had to get the chatroom open.

Template is a tricky word. As you will soon see.

I have no idea how to do this, but I am guessing something to do with starting the counter a bit early.

Concerning the second question: Alsmost everything in a class file can be done in a tex file directly, sole difference: The @ character has a different meaning.

Yeah, I've actually read a great Tex.SE thread on the @ symbol

@masfenix Looking at the cls, the toc already is included in the toc?

github.com/johannesbottcher/templateConfusion

It doesn't show up in my PDF output. Actually, do you mind if I can keep this chat open for a few hours/days?

I am currently finishing my thesis which is due tomorrow.

the formatting and stuff can be done until September 17th.

There are a few questions I have. Do you think its better to ask you directly here or start new threads on the main website? (ofcourse, after tinkering with it myself)

@masfenix I don't mind. But please always use the reference point, i.e. move the mouse pointer to the far left of one of my messages. A little triangle will appear. Respond to the message. Advantage: I know what you are referring to and I get a ping.

@masfenix A quick question in the main chat might be more fruitful though ;-)

@masfenix A new thread might be more helpful, espeacially since others can find it more easily using google.

@Johannes_B This is a set.

Okay sorry haha.

test*

@masfenix Nice, see the little arrow next to your message? use the mouse pointer and mover it. By the way you can edit a message using the up arrow.

Ahh, you learn something new everyday. Okay so back to the current question.

I can just replace the \spacing command in the class file (say with \masfenix) and replace all occurrences of it?

Do I need to run latex classfile.class?

@masfenix rename a copy of the original to masfenix.cls and place it in the folder containing your thesis, add a short note that you changed it (including why and when) and start changing stuff. In your thesis, replace the documentclass line to call masfenix instead of york-thesis.

@Johannes_B Thanks.