Related to this whole thread, note there are various web options from the Ms which, though more likely generated because the technology was there in terms of the Web, perhaps are less restrictive than they might have been due to open source alternatives. Of course, it could also just be good marketing :)
There is MapleNet (http://www.maplesoft.com/demo/maplenet.aspx), which seems to sort of function like the Sage notebook server, except with a very slowly-loading Java thing of course. A rep at this past JMM confirmed that, although there would be no technical barrier to it functioning like the Sage NB server (i.e. unlimited access to a worksheet), the licensing they provide would require the customer to restrict access to the number of users (e.g. students) which the customer has paid for usage. Still, a step in the right direction for allowing people to use it without knowing how to use it. webMathematica is similar, doesn't seem to allow access to a general Mma notebook at this point. The rep at the Mma booth suggested, however, that there may be some better solution coming in terms of licensing/payment. What this means is anyone's guess. However, the fairly recent introduction of functions.wolfram.com, the Integrator, and the Player/Demonstrations Project certainly make it plausible that at least another incremental step of that nature could be in the offing at some point. Since there are already lots of free graphing programs on the web, perhaps that would be a natural one - but this is pure speculation. Anyhow, if the availability of Geogebra, Sage, YACAS, and other more- or-less web-or-applet-enabled OSS math software has contributed to this, that is good. Somehow I doubt this effect will ever be quantifiable (even if real, see previous posts), but the presence of Sage etc. as *visible* projects should help motivate proprietary programs to try to stay several steps ahead in all areas - at least in the eyes of their current customers - which is a salutary effect. - kcrisman --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ To post to this group, send email to sage-devel@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to sage-devel-unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/sage-devel URLs: http://www.sagemath.org -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
