Re: Word - Mathematica connection
- To: mathgroup at christensen.cybernetics.net
- Subject: [mg678] Re: Word - Mathematica connection
- From: glgesm at engr.psu.edu (Gary L. Gray)
- Date: Sat, 08 Apr 1995 16:03:33 -0400
In article <3m564k$gm7 at news0.cybernetics.net>, tgayley at wri.com (Todd Gayley) wrote: > In article <3m4qeo$e47 at news0.cybernetics.net> Richard Mercer > <richard at seuss.math.wright.edu> writes: > > > > In the latest issue of The Mathematica Journal (vol 5 no 2) there is a > > brief note indicating that WRI is developing an interface between > > Mathematica and Microsoft Word 6.0. The note leaves the impression that > > version 6.0 is required and the interface will not work with earlier > > versions. While the possibility of using Mathematica from within a > > word processor is very interesting. But why select a bloated, > > undesirable product like Word 6.0?! There are many, many Word users > > ho have decided not to "downgrade" to Word 6.0, and the prospect of > > paying for 6.0 PLUS the product being prepared by WRI is not very > > appealing. Perhaps there are technical reasons why Word 6.0 is the > > only possibility, but otherwise PLEASE consider doing something > > compatible with Word 5.x or Word >Perfect. How do others feel about > > this? > > > > Richard Mercer > > Richard, > > This product requires Word's macro language, WordBasic, which debuts on > the Macintosh in Word 6.0. WordBasic was present in pre-6.0 versions of > Word for Windows, but it was not sufficiently powerful. > > We are aware of the user community's general distaste for Word 6 for > Macintosh, but this product simply could not exist in any earlier > version. We are assessing the prospect of doing a similar link with > WordPerfect (and Ami Pro), and this may exist in the future. For now, > let's face it, Word has a huge market segment, especially on Windows, > and this link is a cross-platform product. > > Our MathLink technology makes creating these links a relatively > staightforward project. It is only required that the word processor (or > any application) has a sufficient macro language. The bulk of the Word > link is written in WordBasic, not C. > > We appreciate user input on issues like this. A show of support for > WordPerfect could be very influential on our development plans. > > > Todd Gayley > MathLink Applications > WRI I would like to add something to this. The MathWorks has recently added the option of using Word 6.0 as a front-end to MATLAB (I am using a Mac). The front-end is actually rather nice, but still not as nice as the FE for Mma on the Mac. In addition, it is painfully slow. It is so slow, that I don't even consider using it for everyday work -- I still use MATLAB the "old-fashioned" way. The only time I use it is when I am preparing a presentation for a class. I hope that if Wolfram is considering replacing the current FE with Word 6, they make sure that it responds as fast or faster than the current FE. I would hate to see Mathematica become a dog the way MATLAB is with Word. Best regards, -- Gary L. Gray | (814) 863-1778 Assistant Professor | (814) 863-7967 (fax) Engineering Science & Mechanics | glgesm at engr.psu.edu Penn State University | AOL: GLGray