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

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

Thanks for the feedback, everyone.

Unfortunately there is a 40 character limit on the name.  Sorry about
that; I should have checked before.  I guess that partially explains why
there are so many initials in the name.

I have some more comments inline.

On Mon, May 23, 2016 at 10:31:47PM -0400, Stavros Macrakis (Σταῦρος Μακράκης) wrote:
> The name
> 
> Maxima, a Computer Algebra System
> 
> ​is pretty good, but it would be nice to distinguish Maxima from other CASs
> for its lineage, maturity, and completeness (though of course much more can
> be done)

I agree: some additional adjectives would be helpful if they'll fit.

> ​How about:
> 
> Maxima, a full-function Computer Algebra System from MIT
> 
> ​I think that's accurate, though incomplete (since of course a lot of
> functionality has been added since the MIT version).​
> ​
> ​ It would sound better as "*the* CAS from MIT", but I think there are
> others​ (Jacal).
> 
> 
> ​Or maybe "mature" or "comprehensive" instead of "full-function"?

I think I would prefer "comprehensive", although "mature" is a lot
shorter than the others.

Given the length limit, we could do something like

  Maxima, a comprehensive CAS from MIT

I dislike the incompleteness in "from MIT", but not much can be done
about that if we want it in there.  I think having "CAS" in the name is
more reasonable than "GPL" or "DOE", but it would still be nice to have
it spelled out if possible.  Unfortunately

  Maxima, a Computer Algebra System

is already 33 characters long.  "mature " would also fit in there.

Another thing we can do is add more detail (things that can't go in the
name) to the "short summary" which is currently just

  Computer Algebra System written in Common Lisp

This has a 70 character limit.

Just some ideas for now.

Cheers,
Kris Katterjohn