Multiplying out (noncommutative) exponentials

Hi,

This isn't hugely important, but I was wondering if there is a way to
convince Maxima to "multiply out" exponentials. That is, convert

  (%i1) (a . x) ^^ 2;
                                           <2>
  (%o1)                             (a . x)

to something like a.x.a.x ?

I notice that

  (%i2) a.x.a.x;
                                           <2>
  (%o2)                             (a . x)

but maybe this is controlled by a flag I haven't guessed?

I've been playing around with some code for calculating with finitely
presented groups and so I've had lots of non-commutative expressions
like this and it would be nice to have a little more control over their
form.

Rupert
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: not available
Type: application/pgp-signature
Size: 315 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://www.math.utexas.edu/pipermail/maxima/attachments/20120517/a09d5470/attachment.pgp>;