Mathematica 5

Rating:
Summary: Good symbolic math capabilities, ANNOYING activation
Review: I am a graduate student in mathematics. I have found Mathematica to be a very powerful symbolic mathematics program and it has helped me a great deal in my studies. At times the interface is a bit counterintuitive, but it's not bad overall. Documentation isn't very good in the student version, but it may be better in the real version.

My main complaint is the activation process. I often change hardware around or reinstall my operating system. Every time I do that, I have to speak to Wolfram and justify to them my hardware changes before they decide if they will allow me to enter a new activation code to continue to use the product that I purchased. I even purchased 2 licenses for it (one for Linux, one for Windows, so I could use it in both).

Other people I know used the cracked versions that are available, and they have it much easier than I do. They don't have their software unavailable half the time while they are waiting on Wolfram to decide if they should get another activation code.

They need to stop punishing their paying, legal customers and making us miserable because of those individuals out there who are dishonest.

I was initially planning to upgrade to the full version after I graduate, but I have decided to look at other packages that won't give me so much grief. I shouldn't have to explain to Wolfram why I wanted to change my hard drive or video card. It's none of their business.

Rating:
Summary: pleases me
Review: Mathematica has been a dream product for me this past school year. I'm a high school student, so I naturally got the student edition for a whole lot cheaper than the regular. I have learned more mathematical concepts than I would have ever guessed. I got the program specifically to be a powerful home calculator and also introduce me to a new world of mathematics. The program itself is very up to date with cutting edge mathematical concepts. You can even do your own programming within the context of Mathematica! Of course, it takes a little time to learn the Mathematica phrases, etc; however, if you've done any programming at all, this "language" will not be nearly as taxing.

Even though I am a high school student who finds this product to be godly, you (the experienced engineer, physicist, etc) may not come to the same result if you cast a very critical eye on the program. For instance, my research assistant professor at Vanderbilt considers the program to be very limited and often talks to me about using Sigma Plot instead (when dealing with elementary electron configurations). As far as I can see, this program is God; however, I would suggest checking the Wolfram Research site and then learn about the program's weaknesses somewhere else on the internet. Jonatan.