[Maxima-discuss] Updating "Maxima -- GPL CAS based on DOE-MACSYMA"

[Kris K. <kat...@gm...>]

Hey everyone,

The name of the project on sf.net is currently

  Maxima -- GPL CAS based on DOE-MACSYMA

I'm thinking that this should be updated.  Here are some of my opinions
(as, I think, the relative youngster here) off the top of my head of the
pieces of the current name:

* "GPL" - If you're a programmer or user of a lot of open source
software then you probably know, or have heard of, the GPL.  But how
many of our users fall into that category?
Even *if* everyone knows what the GPL is, is it still pertinent enough
to have in the name?  It may have been important when Maxima was
released as open source, but that was more-than-half-of-my-life ago.

* "CAS" - I think it would be clearer to spell it out if it doesn't make
the name too long.

* "DOE-MACSYMA" - "DOE" standing for "Department of Energy" is probably
non-obvious for many (most?) new people who haven't read the history of
Maxima (especially for people who are not even from the U.S.).
In fact, the same goes for "MACSYMA" by itself.  How many new(er) users
do we expect to know what Macsyma is?  I didn't already know what it was
when I started using Maxima several years ago as an undergrad.

The current website uses

  Maxima, a Computer Algebra System

which seems clear and concise enough.  I wouldn't be opposed to using
that or something similar for the sf.net name.

Opinions?  Suggestions?

If we can agree on anything different, I can update the name.

Cheers,
Kris Katterjohn