Sage, a Free Maple/Mathematica Replacement (Plus More on Python)

Sage is a free open source computer algebra system written in and based on Python. You can download it free or use it online for free like a Mathematica or Maple worksheet. It can do very many things that Maple and Mathematica can do.

Seriously, you should try it before you knock it! It is a blessing to have something like this free for use.

Yet Another Reason to Learn Python!

Sage is basically just a fancy wrapper around the Python language coupled with the scipy/numpy libraries. So, learn some Python using numpy and scpiy and:

1. Chuck Matlab!, Python/Numpy/Scipy can do all this just as fast and easy. (and free.)
   
2. Eventually chuck Maple and Mathematica as Sage matures.
3. Read this wonderful book, learn how to mix Python with your Fortran/C/C++ code and become a much more happy and productive programmer.
4. Be able to program in all computer areas, GUI, numerical, system, etc... (Something you can't do with Matlab/Mathematica/Fortran.)

Mathematica 6.0 On Ubuntu Is Amazing

I finally got around to installing Mathematica 6.0 on the Ubuntu computers in N216. My first impression is that it's amazing. Seriously, there are so many cool features. If you open up the documentation center you have well written documentation of examples of all kinds of cool stuff.

Example: Mathematica will spit out your results in LaTeX for you. You can "listen" to how the plot is changing and "beating" through sound tools. You can set a variable parameter and use a scrollbar to see what happens as you vary the parameter. There really are a lot of nice features. Looks like I'm going to get myself a copy.

And, perhaps best of all, it is lightning fast, especially compared to Maple 10. (Sorry Maple).

This is, the Linux version of course. And it runs great on Ubuntu 7.04. Write a comment if you have any trouble installing it. You do have to mount as root.

Mathematica 6 Released

Mathematica 6.0 has been released. Wolfram claims Mathematica 6.0 has been the greatest Mathematica advancement in 20 years. I hope so, I will be purchasing it before I head off to graduate school.

Mathematica's Big News

I went onto Mathematica's website and what do you see: "Mathematica is at Brigham Young University." That's right, and for whatever reason Mathematica finds that important enough to put on their front page. (click on Picture) I don't know what was more interesting today, seeing this or hearing Rush Limbaugh ask callers "If global warming is happening why is it colder outside than usual today?" This about sums up his critical thinking ability and intellectual honesty. You almost want to feel sorry for the guy.

Edit: I am getting the impression checking out the rest of Mathematica's website that it detected that I was at BYU. I don't know that this for a fact, but on multiple pages it tells me about the great features I can find at BYU. I was still amused seeing it all. :)