Software used by the Math Center
The following software is most easily used on a Linux system
(see "Ubuntu on Windows via Wubi" for installation help).
See below for hints on how to install packages in Ubuntu.
We also have instructions for easily installing these packages all at once.
Each application has icons indicating which platforms the software will run on,
Linux,
Windows,
or 
Mac OS X.
KTurtle
- About
-
KTurtle is an educational programming environment. It aims to make
programming as easy and touchable as possible, and therefore can be used to
teach kids the basics of math, geometry and... programming. The programming
language used is loosely based on Logo. Other features include: intuitive
syntax highlighting, simple error messages, integrated canvas to make
drawings on, integrated help function, slow-motion or step execution, and
more.
- Installing in Ubuntu
- Install the "kturtle" package via Ubuntu Software Center.
TuxMath
- About
-
Tux, of Math Command, AKA TuxMath, is based on the classic arcade game
"Missile Command." Tux must defend his cities. In this case, though, he
must do it by solving math problems.
- Installing in Ubuntu
- Install the "tuxmath" package via Ubuntu Software Center.
Next Byte Codes and Not eXactly C
- About
-
Next Byte Codes (NBC) is a simple language with an assembly language syntax
that can be used to program LEGO's NXT programmable brick (from the new
LEGO Mindstorms NXT set). Not eXactly C (NXC) is a high level language,
similar to C, built on top of the NBC compiler. It can also be used to
program the NXT brick. To compile NXC programs just use the NBC compiler
with source code files that have a .nxc file extension. Windows users will
probably also want to download the test release of
Bricx Command Center.
- Installing in Ubuntu
- Unfortunately, NBC is one of the rare applications not available as an Ubuntu package and there is no equivalent package available in the package manager. Therefore, we must install it manually.
- Visit http://bricxcc.sourceforge.net/nbc/ and click on "Beta Releases". Download the most recent executable for "Linux (ia32)" if you are instlling on Ubuntu. Open the downloaded file and save just the "nbc" program to your path, for instance /usr/local/bin/ — Drag the "nbc" file to your desktop, then open a Terminal and type: sudo cp ~/Desktop/nbc /usr/local/bin/
Greenfoot
- About
-
Greenfoot is a Java framework and IDE for creating two-dimensional grid
assignments suitable for novice programmers. While greenfoot supports the
full Java language, it is especially useful for programming exercises that
has a visual element. In greenfoot object visualisation and object
interaction are the key elements.
- Installing in Ubuntu
- Unfortunately, Greenfoot is an application that is not available as an Ubuntu package. Therefore, we must install it manually.
- Visit http://www.greenfoot.org/download/ and download and
save the "executable jar file", for instance to your Desktop. Then open a
terminal and run the following commands to set-up greenfoot (make sure the
version is correct in the third and fourth commands):
sudo aptitude install openjdk-6-jdk cd Desktop java -jar Greenfoot-generic-153.jar rm Greenfoot-generic-153.jar
You can now run greenfoot from the command line or by double-clicking on the greenfoot program (select "Run" when prompted).
Maxima
- About
-
Maxima is a system for the manipulation of symbolic and numerical
expressions, including differentiation, integration, Taylor series, Laplace
transforms, ordinary differential equations, systems of linear equations,
polynomials, and sets, lists, vectors, matrices, and tensors. Maxima yields
high precision numeric results by using exact fractions, arbitrary
precision integers, and variable precision floating point numbers. Maxima
can plot functions and data in two and three dimensions.
Maxima is a descendant of Macsyma, the legendary computer algebra system developed in the late 1960s at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. It is the only system based on that effort still publicly available and with an active user community, thanks to its open source nature. Macsyma was revolutionary in its day, and many later systems, such as Maple and Mathematica, were inspired by it.
- Installing in Ubuntu
- Install the "wxmaxima" package via Ubuntu Software Center.
GNU Octave
- About
-
GNU Octave is a high-level language, primarily intended for numerical
computations. It provides a convenient command line interface for solving
linear and nonlinear problems numerically, and for performing other
numerical experiments using a language that is mostly compatible with
MATLAB. It may also be used as a batch-oriented language.
- Installing in Ubuntu
- Install the "octave3.0" and "qtoctave" packages via Ubuntu Software Center.
Qalculate
- About
-
Qalculate! is a multi-purpose desktop calculator. It is small and simple to
use but with much power and versatility underneath. Features include
customizable functions, units, arbitrary precision, and plotting.
- Installing in Ubuntu
- Install the "qalculate-gtk" package via Ubuntu Software Center.
TkGate
- About
-
TkGate is a event driven digital circuit simulator with a graphical editor.
TkGate supports a wide range of primitive circuit elements as well as
user-defined modules for hierarchical design. The distribution comes with a
number of tutorial and example circuits which can be loaded through the
"Help" menu. The example circuits include a simple CPU, programmed to run
the Animals game.
- Installing in Ubuntu
- Install the "tkgate" and "tkgate-doc" packages via Ubuntu Software Center.
XaoS
- About
-
XaoS is an interactive fractal zoomer. It allows the user to continuously
to zoom in or out of a fractal in a fluid, continuous motion. This
capability makes XaoS great for exploring fractals, and it’s fun!
- Installing in Ubuntu
- Install the "xaos" package via Ubuntu Software Center.
TuxPaint
- About
-
Tux Paint is a drawing program for children ages 3 to 12. It combines an
easy-to-use interface, fun sound effects, and an encouraging cartoon mascot
who guides children as they use the program.
- Installing in Ubuntu
- Install the "tuxpaint" package via Ubuntu Software Center.
XFig
- About
-
XFig is an interactive vector-based drawing tool. In XFig, figures may be
drawn using objects such as circles, boxes, lines, spline curves, text,
etc. Those objects can be created, deleted, moved or modified. Attributes
such as colors or line styles can be selected in various ways.
- Installing in Ubuntu
- Install the "xfig" and "transfig" packages via Ubuntu Software Center.
GNU Emacs
- About
-
GNU Emacs is the original "everything and the kitchen sink" text editor. It
is the editor we use for all of our programming needs. Mac users should
probably install the Aquamacs version.
- Installing in Ubuntu
- Install the "emacs22" package via Ubuntu Software Center.
LaTeX
- About
-
LaTeX is a high-quality typesetting system; it includes features designed
for the production of technical and scientific documentation. LaTeX is the
de facto standard for the communication and publication of scientific
documents. Windows users should probably install the
MiKTeX distribution. Mac users should
probably install the
TeXShop distribution.
- Installing in Ubuntu
- Install the "texlive", "auctex", "emacs22", and "xpdf" packages via Ubuntu Software Center.
Installing Software
Software for Linux systems are rarely installed by downloading the program directly from a webpage. Instead, programs are installed directly from the Linux distributor via a "package manager". Ubuntu has three distinct package managers, each useful in different situations.
Ubuntu Software Center
You can install packages by clicking "Applications" → "Ubuntu Software Center". The Ubuntu repository includes over 25,000 packages! The packages are organized by type so that you can browse the list of available applications or get a feel for what is available. If you know the specific name of an application, type it into the search box in the software center.
Once you find an apoplication you want to install, click the "Install" button - if the install button is not present, click "More info" then "Use This Source" and type your password then the "Install" button should be available.
Installing all Programs in One Fell Swoop
Another package manager is a command line tool. This package manager is useful when you know (or are told) exactly what to install. This is also the easiest way to install all math center packages at once.
Click on "Applications" → "Accessories" → "Terminal". Then copy/paste the following three commands (three lines each starting with "sudo aptitude") into the terminal. You will be asked for your password and the second command will ask you to confirm its actions (just tell it yes).
sudo aptitude update
sudo aptitude install kturtle octave3.0 wxmaxima qtoctave tkgate tkgate-doc tuxpaint tuxmath xfig emacs22 auctex texlive xpdf xaos qalculate-kde eclipse
sudo aptitude clean
The above commands will install everything except the NBC compiler and Greenfoot which must be installed manually.
