[Texmacs-dev] New Version 13.04 of MathBox VirtualBox Virtual Guest Machine

[David E. Miller]

To Texmacs users, developers, et al.:

The latest version (13.04) of the MathBox VirtualBox virtual guest machine is available for download.

The version includes a number of improvements and changes over previous versions including a help system based on Yelp and project Mallard XML.

This guest virtual machine is intended for use with VirtualBox host software which is available for common OS distributions including MS Windows, OS X, GNU/Linux and other Unix-type operating systems. The associated virtual disk is in the VMDK format and should also work with "VMware" presumably. Complete installation instructions are included.

This virtual machine  features mathematical and, scientific software that should be useful for a wide variety of purposes. Texmacs is among these featured packages. Also included are wxMaxima/Maxima, GNU Octave, gnuplot, Python (2.7 and 3.3), SpYder Python IDE, IPython, IPython Notebook, "numerical" and "scientific" Python modules (NumPy, SciPy, Scitools, Oct2Py, Matplotlib, etc.) GNAT compiler tools for Ada programming and GNAT Programming Studio (GPS) for C/C++ and Ada programming, Convertall and GNU Units, Qalculate! (a powerful calculator program including an RPN mode rivaling the best hand-helds), GeoGebra, Genius Math Tool (a really great package, with a built-in GEL programming language idea for both teaching, problem solving, and research) and Xournal. All the featured software is fully configured with convenient desktop shortcuts:

• GNAT Ada compiler and the GNAT Programming Studio — Ada, C, and C++ languages.
• GNU TeXmacs — GNU TeXmacs is a superb technical document tool with special features for mathematics and science.
• Maxima — Maxima Computer Algebra System is  for the manipulation of symbolic and numerical expressions. Includes the wxMaxima GUI
• GeoGebra — Interactive geometry, algebra, spreadsheet and much more.
• Python 2.7 and 3.3 — Python object-oriented, interpreted programming language.
• Spyder Python IDE — a powerful interactive development environment for the Python language.
• Numerical and Scientific Python (based on Python 2.7.3) — IPython (and IPython Notebook), NumPy, SciPy, Matplotlib, SciTools, Spyder IDE, and Oct2Py.
• Genius Math Tool — An easy to use, powerful general purpose program similar to MATLAB®.
• GNU Octave — GNU Octave is a high-level interpreted language, primarily intended for numerical computations.
• Gnuplot — gnuplot is a powerful graphing utility used to visualize mathematical functions and data interactively.
• Xournal — Application for notetaking, sketching, PDF annotation, and keeping a journal using a stylus.
• Unit conversion — GNU Units and Convertall.
• Qalculate! — The ultimate desktop calculator. Powerful calculator program with optional RPN mode rivaling the best handhelds for features.
• Impress!ive — Displays PDF and photo presentations with "impressive" features including page transitions, overview screen, highlight boxes, and spotlight effect.

The featured software includes a collection of user documentation and example files and code. The advantages of using a GNU/Linux virtual machine are many. The virtual machine may be configured for specific purposes and the full range of packages and tools are available regardless of the host operating systems thus bypassing many OS dependent issues.

The MathBox virtual machine is free software. More information is available  at: http://mathboxvm.org/

The download link for the MathBox-13.04.zip file is: click here

The SHA256SUM hash file used to check the integrity of the downloaded file ZIP file is available at:  click here

Feedback and suggestions are welcome.

David E. Miller