Re: WG: Tools for mathematical calculations and graphical output

[Steve C. Thompson]

Group,

GNU Octave is a good replacement to MATLAB.  Does anyone know if there
is a F/OSS alternative to something like Mathcad; something like
Mathematica?

Steve

On Apr 18 21:37PM, Ing. Martin Ranftler wrote:
> Hi, Steve and all other participants of this forum
> I ask you to apologize my mistakes and I try to answer the open questions:
> 
> Input in a form means input like in Mathcad, where you can format the
> sheet and printout it like a schoolbook..
> Input at a line is like Octave does...
> Usability of scripts means, if scripts can be used. In Octave Scripts can
> be used (*.m - files).
> If there are another open questions I'll try to answer...
> 
> Thanks, best regards
> Martin Ranftler
> 
> > Martin,
> >
> > Well, I don't speak German, but it looks like you are comparing Mathcad,
> > MATLAB, Mathematica, Derive, Axiom, and Octave.  I'm not familiar with
> > Derive or Axiom.
> >
> > Concerning GNU Octave with your criteria:
> >
> >>    Price
> > GNU Octave can be used free of charge.  If you find the software useful,
> > it is recommended that you donate money to the project.
> >
> >>    Platform, Windows / Linux
> > GNU Octave, from what I understand, can be used on several platforms
> > including MS Windows and GNU/Linux; I use the later, and would argue
> > that GNU Octave can be used to its fullest potential on this platform.
> >
> >>Input in a form or Input at a "line"
> > Not sure what this means.
> >
> >> Usability of scripts..
> > Not sure what this means either.  GNU Octave is an interactive language.
> > Most work is done by writing ``m-file'' scripts, which, when ran at the
> > Octave command prompt, tell the program what to do.
> >
> >> Format of graphical output (jpg, postscript..), 2D, 3D,
> > GNU Octave taps into the power of Gnuplot---a plotting program which can
> > export figures in all common file formats; and many less used (but
> > useful for the people who use them!) formats: see
> > http://www.gnuplot.info/docs/gnuplot.html#output
> >
> > Some additional comments:
> >
> >   (1) Please don't confuse ``freeware'' with free software.  To learn
> > about free software, read http://www.gnu.org/.  GNU Octave is licensed
> > under the General Public License (GPL), making it free as in freedom,
> > not free as in price.  Octave can be used for free, but, as I said
> > above, it is customary and helpful to donate funds to the project.
> >
> >   The GPL is the basis of many other software projects, including the
> > Debian GNU/Linux operating system, see http://www.debian.org/.
> >
> >   (2) Please avoid sending attachments which are in proprietary file
> > formats such as Microsoft PowerPoint.  This assumes that the receiver
> > is using the same proprietary software that you are.  With the help of
> > projects like OpenOffice.org, I can open and view your work.  However,
> > this isn't a good solution since it still promotes the
> >   interoperability with secret file formats.  It is better to attach
> > your presentation in a format that is known to the public, such as
> > PDF. (Plain text if preferred, when possible.)
> >
> > Good luck with your talk.
> >
> > Steve
> >
> > On Apr 18 19:00PM, Martin Ranftler wrote:
> >>
> >> Ladies and gentlemen,
> >>
> >> (John W. Eaton instructed me to post my question here...)
> >>
> >>
> >> I am a postgradual student at the
> >>
> >>    Hochschule Mittweida
> >>    University of Applied Sciences
> >>    Mittweida, Germany
> >>
> >>   Signals and Systems, Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil Reinhard Sporbert
> >>
> >> where I work on a comparison of mathematical tools in order to make a
> >> recommendation for the future use in some disciplines of the a.m.
> >> University.
> >>
> >> Please find my comparison attached.
> >> I visited your websites and as far as I was enabled, I tested your
> >> products. All listed prices are from the original websites which are
> >> typed in the attached document, dated now (April 2005).
> >>
> >> To avoid misunderstandings and mistakes of myself I ask you to check
> >> carefully what I have found out about your products and to comment it
> >> finally.
> >>
> >> Main topics are:
> >>    Price
> >>    Platform, Windows / Linux
> >>    Input in a form or Input at a "line"
> >>    Usability of scripts..
> >>    Format of graphical output (jpg, postscript..), 2D, 3D,
> >>
> >> The result will be printed and distributed by myself as a
> >> recommendation, decision will be made afterwards by the teachers of
> >> the university.
> >>
> >> So I hope to get an answer from yourselve until Friday, April
> >> 22nd,considering the a.m. topics.
> >>
> >> Thank you,
> >> with best regards
> >>
> >> Martin Ranftler
> >> address@hidden
> >> address@hidden
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > -------------------------------------------------------------
> > Octave is freely available under the terms of the GNU GPL.
> >
> > Octave's home on the web:  http://www.octave.org
> > How to fund new projects:  http://www.octave.org/funding.html
> > Subscription information:  http://www.octave.org/archive.html
> > -------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> 
> 



-------------------------------------------------------------
Octave is freely available under the terms of the GNU GPL.

Octave's home on the web:  http://www.octave.org
How to fund new projects:  http://www.octave.org/funding.html
Subscription information:  http://www.octave.org/archive.html
-------------------------------------------------------------