<posted & mailed>
Andrey Siver wrote:
> Could You give more information about this point?
Last year maxima was adopted in general math courses, as a tool to check
basic algebra operations and differential calculus results, and to plot
functions.
Several difficulties were met in the process: ease of use was challenged,
dependability of plots was questioned. Probably some problems were due to
flawed installation and configuration and to hardware faults as well.
This time, we would like to devise and report the best procedure to install
and customise maxima (e.g. adding a batch program to 'stringout' all input
to a default log file).
Probably something can be already found in the manuals, but learning from
an expert in person is much more effective. Moreover, meeting in person
gives teachers and students a prod to collect and report malfunctions.
Also the possibility for students and teachers to add something to maxima
would be encouraged. Last year a student wrote down, in a couple days, a
simple algorithm to solve inequalities in the real domain, but anybody was
able to suggest him how to include that into the maxima set of commands.
Availability of a group of 'experts' to discuss such issues would play an
relevant role in spreading the adoption of maxima (more broadly, open
technologies).
Thank you for your interest
--
Pol
>