Math Syntax Questions

[net-buoy]

I have been posting here and in http://www.oooforum.org/forum/viewforum.phtml?f=6 about MathML usability issues. See e.g.
http://www.oooforum.org/forum/viewtopic ... d04550b323

I would like to locate the historical and functional basis for the text expression syntax Math presently employs in that it does not use latex, asciimathml or other text expressions syntax.

I would like to be able, without the use of third party extensions, to save Writer documents with Math equations with MathML or delimited text expressions and not gifs.

I would like to be able to use one text expression syntax transparently in any open application, which means that it would be nice if Writer via Math or whatever transparently translated not only the Math syntax, whatever its source, but other text expressions such as LaTex, which it should be able to do.

I would like to be able to find the pertinent resources more easily.