Well, since it's in cvs now, I'll sort of give an overview of where we
are on maximabook.
- I did try to correct the spelling mistakes, but as always the more
eyes on that kind of checking, the better. Thanks to those of you who
have pointed out these errors and weak sentences - I've tried to
address most of them, and I'll keep after it as time permits.
- The image quality was poor in previous pdf files, and I think I have
improved it by using png images instead of jpeg. It still isn't
perfect, but at least in my viewers it is much improved.
- I changed the graphics output section a little, using one large
picture instead of several smaller ones in order to improve clarity.
- I need an example where the (C1) (D1) labeling structure is added to
with the usually invisible (E1) steps showing up. Does anyone have a
good one?
- The integration section is virtually nonexistant. As I've shown, my
knowledge of this system is quite limited - is there anyone available
to write up a good section on maxima's capabilities and quirks when it
comes to symbolic integration?
- Jay is working on an ODE section, so that's in good hands, but beyond
that no work is being done on any of the higher math functionality in
maxima. Again, knowledgable help here would be excellent.
- I'm going to attempt to prune Nelson Beebe's macsyma bibliography,
which currently is include in its entirety, to try and focus on the
entries related specifically to Macsyma, and add a few specific to
maxima. Once that is accomplished I'm going to go through, fix and add
citations, and hopefully get to the point where we won't have any
unresolved links in the document.
- No one needs to worry about the install section for a while - once
the new build system has reached it's final state, and we have a
concrete step by step procedure for compiling on Windows, that chapter
will be totally rewritten. The current chapter will be moved to
storage.
- For the troubleshooting section, someone should go through the email
list looking for problems and questions presented, and their solutions.
- Advanced examples needs help. Specifically, someone capable of
providing advanced examples. If you have a particularly complex or
useful example of maxima usage, and would be willing to have us use it,
please send it in. Michael Wester's articles contain some interesting
examples, particularly the PDE example, and if anyone is willing to
adapt that to Maxima that would be a good starting point.
- We would like to create an index of maxima examples, much the way the
current document keeps track of figures. Unfortunately, I have no idea
how to do this and I haven't heard from Pablo in months. Does anyone
else know how this might be set up?
- Indexing. Creating an index is a large but straightforward job, and
if you want to help maxima but don't have any math or latex experience,
you can still be of great help in creating the index. Contact me if
you are interested.
That's probably not a comprehensive list, but it's a start. Comments
invited.
CY
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