Slightly OT: student usage of Maxima vs Maple

The last major comparison of CAS's was done in 1999.  Since the range of
problems solvable by a modern CAS is vast, I think you should simply compare
Maple and Maxima for your own use - mechanical engineering education.  I for
one would be delighted in your findings.  I have access to Maple, but use it
myself only rarely these days.

cheers,
Alasdair

On Wed, May 21, 2008 at 7:14 PM, Dotan Cohen <dotancohen at gmail.com> wrote:

> As a second-year mechanical engineering student, I have only
> superficially examined Maxima for my needs. I find that wxMaxima meets
> most of my current needs, but my future nneeds I do not yet know.
> Today, the folks at Maple set up shop in my university and are selling
> one-year student licenses of Maple for the equivalent of $15 USD. I
> bought one so that I could use both programs for one year and compare
> their usage.
>
> I intend to solve my problems with both programs as often as I can, so
> that I can know them both. However, unfamiliar with mathematical
> programs in general, what features/properties should I pay special
> attention to? What are the known advantages and disadvantages of each?
> While in principal I prefer open source software (I use Kubuntu Linux
> OS), I do believe in using the best tool for the job. I'm not looking
> for an open-source vs closed source argument, but rather personal
> comparisons of the programs regardless of price or license.
>
> I hope that this does not turn into a flame war, but it seems to me
> that the maxima list is much less willing to flame honest this-vs-that
> questions than, say, the debian list :) Thanks in advance.
>
> Dotan Cohen
>
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