[Fwd: Re: [Maxima] Plans for release candidate 2 and beyond]

--- Stephen Leake <stephen.a.leake.1@gsfc.nasa.gov> wrote:

> It may be that the simplest solution for Windows is to require
> Cygwin, and just use the Unix scripts. 

Simplest yes, but probably not the best way considering our goals.

> Many people have said that they want a "stand-alone" version of
> Maxima for Windows. However, Cygwin is _not_ hard to install, and it
is
> probably easier for the Maxima project to maintain a good
> INSTALL.Windows that tells how to install Cygwin, than it is to
> maintain inconsistent packaging schemes for Unix and Windows.
>
> Just a thought...

It's easier for us, but requiring cygwin will be a major barrior to
gaining market share.  People are less likely to give it a try in
Windows if there are a lot of requirements to run it - it will give it
the feel of an "unfinished" product not ready for prime time.  I don't
think we'll be making so many changes so fast that we can't keep up
with an occasional standalone Windows build.  At least in my opinion
the simple standalone install is critical.

CY

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