On Jun 18, 3:25 pm, kcrisman <[email protected]> wrote: > > > But sounds like, as with a big buffet, too much of a good thing is > > > just too much. > > It's worth pointing out, though, that most of the optional packages > are databases, packages for some very specific research use, > additional graphics, or computer internals, in which case perhaps the > user could download his/her own copy of Sage to use them? What sort > of context are you envisioning this for? > > - kcrisman
Well, I'm a SysAdmin, not a mathematician, hence my knowledge of what our various mathematicians might need is limited. I'm working on standardized disk images that will be distributed on a few dozen Macs. I'm trying to install the broadest, most useable version of SAGE possible, so it will be most useful for the broadest swathe of mathematicians who use those disk images. For individuals I'd be happy to install specific packages if they're not already installed, but I'd much prefer to have the needed packages already available on their installation so they don't have to figure out what they need, tell me, wait for me to have the time to install it, etc. Most of our users don't have root on their desktop machines: not being able to change system level software and configs allows me to push out new software, updates, etc. without breaking what they're used to, but it also means I have to give them what they need, hopefully anticipating it before they need it. Also, we have a fair number of shared public machines, so for those I can't really install individual packages since I never know which individuals will be using which public systems, they all have a common disk image. Part of why I posted was not only to get my own installation in good shape, but to help out others in the same boat by helping to improve the documentation, error messages, and installation procedures for non- specialists (like me). I suspect William would say I should help improve the documentation by not only posting reports (and should any of this sort of thing be a formal bug report?) but by fixing the source/docs... and I'd agree with him except 1) I don't know the answers to these questions (i.e. which databases go with which research purposes, etc) and 2) I'd have to properly (re)learn mercurial... though the latter I really ought to do anyway, if I only had the time. Arthur Gaer Harvard University -- To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/sage-support URL: http://www.sagemath.org
