An XCas question....

[DrD]

You have heard about signature analysis, no doubt. As a very broad generality, it's a "signature" of the CAS on the prime, that various functions return results the way they do.

The more you use the prime CAS, the more this becomes an obvious truism. If more talent/expertise were spread across the CAS product, I'm pretty sure you would see the CAS become more like competitive products. Similarly, if the marketing scope was widened.

Wolfram, (and similar products), are designed using a different business model than Bernard Parisse methods. French math versus American math educational methods are not a core concern. I have been using the prime very extensively, most everyday, for the last few years. A some point, being frustrated with displayed results, even though usually correct, gives way to understanding this general signature characteristic, and I try to spend less time understanding the displayed result than I do on the underlying problem attempting to be solved.

I don't know if you will understand what I mean with this "in general" opinion, but the more you use the CAS, the more likely your experience will recognize this signature. I'm not suggesting anything less than great respect for Bernard's expertise, diligence, willingness to resolve issues, etc. CAS is not a simple product, but my feeling is that we could be further ahead of the product curve, than we currently are. How you would measure that, I cannot say. I just get the feeling that the technology demand 'out there' is ahead of the market on this one.

(Specific examples show up in this forum and elsewhere, if needed for clarity. I understand the marketing constraints).

The prime is a great product, though. Suffice to say: wish_list ≠ {};

-Dale-