[texhax] \newcommand

[Roger Mason]

Hello,

I am trying to define a command in latex with this code in the preamble:

\newcommand{\mybox}[2]{%
  \setlength{\unitlength}{1pt}
  \makeatletter
  \begin{picture}(\strip at pt\linewidth,#1)
    \put(0,0){\framebox(\strip at pt\linewidth,#1)[tl]{#2}}
  \end{picture}
  \makeatother}

It is designed to produce a box that is the width of the \linewidth
currently in use at height #1 containing text #2.  The code in the
definition was obtained from the archives of this list and runs fine when
embeded in a LaTeX document (with numbers for #1 & #2).  When I define the
command above and invoke it using (for example)

\mybox{72}{Zn}

in the body of the document, compilation fails and the log file says:

! Undefined control sequence.
<argument> \strip 
                  @pt\linewidth 
l.90 \mybox{72}{Zn}

The control sequence at the end of the top line
of your error message was never \def'ed. If you have
misspelled it (e.g., `\hobx'), type `I' and the correct
spelling (e.g., `I\hbox'). Otherwise just continue,
and I'll forget about whatever was undefined.

Is there some simple step I am missing?

Thanks for any replies,

Roger Mason

P.S. Is it considered good etiquette on this list to thank responders on
the list or should that be done privately?