I plan to release the second beta release of 5.9.1 this weekend. Here is
where we are compared to my previous beta2 message:
> 1) Updates to windows-related items. (Done!)
Still done!
> 2) Fix for CMUCL bug reported by Vadim V. Zhytnikov.
Done.
> 3) Resolve the problem seen with invert() under GCL 2.6.2.
Done. Thanks to all who contributed to the solution. Particular thanks
to Camm, who found the ultimate source of the problem.
> 4) Add documentation for new plotting routines.
Done.
> 5) Apply the compilation-warning-reducing patches from Andreas Eder.
I have been convinced to wait for the next release to apply these
patches. Thanks to all who tested the patches. Your work is still
valuable; it will just take a little while longer to have an effect.
I now would like to add:
6) Make describe work with new external interface under GCL.
The problem was reported by Andrey Grozin. I wrapped all routines
requiring terminal input in the Maxima base. Under non-GCL lisps, the
info routines are part of Maxima. With GCL, however, we use the built-in
info routines. Indeed, the Maxima info routines are simply a port of the
GCL info routines. The fix is to have Maxima use its internal info, even
with GCL. I have already implemented the change. It's only a few lines
of code here and there. I just have to clean it up before putting it in
cvs.
7) Look at Camm's most recent suggestions about proclaims.
Since I have already started working on this, I should be able to finish
it up over the weekend.
It looks to me like beta 2 will quickly turn into release candidate 1,
which should quickly turn into the 5.9.1 release.
--Jim