On Jul 22, 4:44 pm, mabshoff <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Well, there is a vast people using Windows out there either by choice
> or because they don't know about alternatives.
True, but I suspect the first year students under discussion should be
aware of other systems such as Linux. They would have the choice to
use Linux if they wanted. I can't believe it would be hard to find a
Linux box in a university now if you wanted to use one. Even easier to
install it on their own PC.
> And Sage can only
> benefit from being portable.
Agreed - a Windows port is essential. More so than Solaris.
> In the end it is all about bringing
> mathematical OS to the people and not convincing them to switch OSes.
I do not agree with you there!
If Linux is a more suitable platform for scientific computing than
Windows, it would be wise to encourage first year students to use
Linux for scientific computing. Unlike staff working for most large
corporations, students will not be tied to rigid corporate policies.
They can install software on their own personal machines.
I've spent the last couple of weeks doing "scientific computing" and I
believe it would have been considerably more difficult under Windows
than it was under Solaris.
I've also spent a few days writing a scientific report under Solaris.
I'm the first to admit, that would have been no more difficult, and
perhaps even sligthly easier under Windows, especially as I had to use
files Visio format files sent to me. I had to get a colleague to put
them in a usable format. He could not use postscript (why I will never
no), so I had to make do with PDF. Not ideal. But it would have been
easier for me to just use Windows for that part of it.
So I'm not proposing a blanket "convince everyone to use Linux and
scrap Windows", but I do believe if Linux/Unix is a better platform
for scientific computing, then it is wise to encourage first year
student to use Linux/Unix.
> They will hopefully learn that Open Source is something good and high
> quality, but if other people use Windows I am perfectly fine with it.
I'm happy with it, but feel its unwise to enough it use for scientific
computing to a group of individuals who have no compelling reasons
(ie. corporate policy) to use Windows for scientific computing.
> Michael
Dave
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