Dan,

Thanks for the update. As you know, we will try and support you as much as possible.
I forwarded this to the fipy list as stuff below is relevant to others.

I would like to make you of aware of what people are beginning to call pylab. This basically
consists of ipython, scipy, matplotlib and other symbolic maths tools (as they become available,
some already are, see scipy list thread below). There are
some good arguments for using this as opposed to Matlab or Mathematica.
The main one being that python offers a superior programming language
to either of the commercial options. There has been a recent informative thread
on the scipy-user list:


There is some discussion from people whio have taught using pylab and other stuff.
The wiki page is here:


One particular argument I like is that people often prototype in matlab or mathematica then have
to go off and write a C code. Using pylab avoids that hurdle as you have the power of a full
language if you need to turn your prototype into the real thing.

Another thing, ipython is an interactive python environment. You can launch ipython
with command line flags to import the right modules on start up. Then, possibly, you can
alias pylab to ipython --someflags, gives it a nice feel and you don't have to explain to
students about importing different stuff before anything actually works.

As far as FiPy is concerned, it could be just another module you pull into pylab when needed.

Cheers

Daniel

On Sep 28, 2006, at 4:18 PM, Daniel Lewis wrote:

Hi Both,

I'm going to ATTEMPT to get FiPy installed on my graduate student's computers
for the advanced kinetics class.

This will be HIGHLY experimental and I have no idea if it will all work.

I have one graduate student who will help me develop/design example problems.

Again, this is HIGHLY experimental and I cannot foresee if it will all come together...

(I've started and deleted this e-mail 10 times, but, finally I think it will get into the
ethernet...)

Dan


Dan Lewis
Assistant Professor
Materials Research Center, Room 110
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
110 8th Street
Troy, NY 12180
518-276-2297







Daniel Wheeler



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