it depends if you mind the wait. one thing is that if you download it you need to make a copy of the file somewhere else (disc, different computer, ect.). i have always downloaded mine. well as long as it has been available for downloads.

that must have taken a good amout of time to compile all of that

XKCD, he is always putting up great comics.

As i go through higher and higher math i see calculators diminish, i guess, due to the fact you really dont need it, and at my school more interest is placed on computer based math systems. I would say from Differential Equations I and down Calculators have a strong hold. For one, that is all engineering students have to take math wise. Second, from cal I down i think its a little much to ask for some students to learn mapple because most of those people will never use it again. Granted that is a bad reason. I cant tell you how much i have learned that i will not use again. So, now that i have beat around the bush, calculators are here to stay.

that is really funny. good post.

I dont know if you have ever came by this program. Its called freemat, and its a lot like matlab and idl. i find it not to be a powerful as the chemical producted on the market. But, here is the link if you would like to look at it. http://freemat.sourceforge.net/. Its supported on all systems.