>I installed the 4.0.7 binary version for RedHat in >order to see whether I could use it for 'real work'. >First, I think it is not easy to learn how to use >OpenDX. To produce a simple line plot took me 1 hour. >I finally gave up when I tried to import my own data >in a manner which would make sense. Members of the >'research community' are often short of time and this >might prevent them from using OpenDX. Second, a really >severe problem are the very limited possibilities for >data analysis. If one wants to EXPLORE the data >interactively and not just wants to produce stylish >pictures of the data, OpenDX might not be the right >thing. >
Thanks for the info. This is valuable to know for those of us with a vested interest in seeing openDX propagate past the initial flurry of getting it built on 'N' platforms. Within reason, we who monitor the list and use DX, try to help newbies get started (without cost or obligation: just write to the list and see what replies you get). The docs are not the greatest as tutorials; they teach the mechanics but not the art of using DX. There are many samples to explore though to get ideas. Dave Thompson and I (separately and together) have taught many people to use DX pretty effectively in 2-3 days, so it's not completely insurmountable. But I've used it for 9 years and still learn new tricks all the time. If you expected a turn-key analysis package, DX is not. It is a programming language that facilitates the conversion of numbers to images. Along the way, using Compute (in particular), you can do a remarkable amount of "analysis". But DX was never intended to replace FEM, CFD, GIS, etc. special purpose analysis packages. There are frequently ways to add visual value to the output of such programs using DX. The trick to DX is learning the underlying data model. Without that conceptual framework, you only flounder without any clear idea of what is happening inside the modules and what is traveling down the wires. With it, you can do some amazing feats of data visualization. I suppose I better get to work on that book I keep meaning to write. Would you buy it? (:-) Dave is about to release a training package according to his web site. (Remember, you did get the DX software for free! To put this in perspective, IBM sold it for about $5900/seat not long ago.) Finally, DX is not a plotting package though it has a Plot module. You would be wasting time to try to emulate TecPlot or many other 2D specialty plot packages. DX will take your visual analysis to much higher levels than those can, but if that's all you need, you are better off using them. Or, maybe some bright-eyed programmer out there will fold one of them in as a module. hint, hint Chris Pelkie Vice President/Scientific Visualization Producer Conceptual Reality Presentations, Inc. 30 West Meadow Drive Ithaca, NY 14850 [EMAIL PROTECTED] (607) 257-8335 or (607) 254-8794
