Links to Online Documentation

I am starting to gather links to manuals, tutorials  of free software.

1. Maxima Computer Algebra System.
   Manual: http://maxima.sourceforge.net/docs/manual/en/maxima.html
2. Python Programming Language.
   Main Documentation Page: www.python.org/doc/
   Reference: docs.python.org/reference/   
3. R statistical  software.
   Index to manuals: http://cran.r-project.org/manuals.html
4. Gretl Econometrics Software.
   Gretl-Guide: http://ricardo.ecn.wfu.edu/pub/gretl/manual/en/gretl-guide.pdf
5. Scipy and Numpy.
   http://docs.scipy.org/doc/

Plotting Small Samples with R.

R has a comprehensive set of routines for visualization of data. Here we show some of its capabilities on  a small sample Y containing positive values.


library("vioplot")

X <- c(rnorm(50, 10, 3),rnorm(50, 15, 5))
Y <- c(runif(10, 5, 20))


par(mfrow=c(3,3))

pie(Y, main="Small sample", sub="A Pie Chart")
dotchart(Y, main="Small sample", sub="A Dot Chart")
stripchart(Y, main="Small Sample", sub="A Strip chat")

barplot(Y, main="Small sample", sub="A vertical Bar Chart")
barplot(Y, horiz=T, main="Small sample", sub="A Horizontal Bar Chart")

boxplot(Y, main="Small sample", sub="A box plot")
vioplot(Y)  # package vioplot
title <- "A vio plot"

plot(Y, type="p", main="Small Sample", sub="A Scatterplot")
plot(Y, type="l", main="Small Sample", sub="A Line plot")


First a few observations:

  1.The vioplot function does not allow seting the main title or sub title. Instead you should call title("title of graph") after the call to vioplot.

  2. Pie charts are not well loved by statisticians, they cannot represent negative values and its difficult to judge magnitudes.



Here is a screenshot of the small sample plots.

Next time we will present plots which can handle a larger number of data points.

Updating Opera to Version 11.5! (Again to Version 11.61.1250)

I am currently updating the Opera software to Version 11.5 codenamed Swordfish. Opera is a standards compliant software with a history of introducing innovations liked tabbed browsing and speed dial.

Further reading: Inquirer.net

And click here for an impressive list of the changes in 11.50 Swordfish edition.

Feb 19, 2012: I will be upgrading to version 11.61today! How time flies!
The default software manager spents a long time to install the downloaded file. So I have to do a manual install:

sudo dpkg -i opera_11.61.1250_amd64.deb 
(Reading database ... 677957 files and directories currently installed.)
Preparing to replace opera 11.52.1100 (using opera_11.61.1250_amd64.deb) ...
Unpacking replacement opera ...
Setting up opera (11.61.1250) ...
Error in file "/usr/share/applications/gnumeric.desktop": "zz-application/zz-winassoc-xls" is an invalid MIME type ("zz-application" is an unregistered media type)
Updating software catalog...this may take a moment.
Software catalog update was successful.

How to move and resize Windows in Ubuntu 11.04

Funny, I was not paying attention to my 11.04 Natty Narwhal Ubuntu Desktop. I dont like surprises and
the new Ubuntu surprised me when I noticed there are no more window Maximize, Minimize, buttons on the top corners.

Anyway, to move windows, Press Alt-F7 with the mouse on the window you want to move. Move the mouse to the final location of the window.

To resize windows, Press Alt-F8, and move the mouse up or down to resize vertically or left-right to resize horizontally.

We will revise our just recent posts on Latexila and Texmaker.In time, we might love this strange behavior of Ubuntu. Right now, we dont. Please bring back the traditional window controls!

latexila, an Integrated Gnome Latex editor

Latexila, is currently at version 2.06 in my new Ubuntu 11.04 Linux desktop at my ACER 4520 laptop computer.

I can only two things and I am surprised both Latexila and Texmaker suffers from the same major problems, namely Windows cannot be resized, and Windows cannot be moved. Here is a snapshot of Latexila in my ACER:

June 20, 2011. This just in! I discovered that Ubuntu 11.04 windows do not contain Windows minimize and maximize buttons or controls. Press F7 while mouse is on the window and move the windows to the desired location. Press Al-F8 to to resize the windows. This is unnerving for new users of 11.04 Ubuntu.

October 30, 2011. The spate of package updates after updating Ubuntu to the latest and greatest version oneiric ocelot has fixed the above issues!

Texmaker, current version not functioning well

I encourage developers to produce more softwares and we will focus on describing how well they are designed and testing them for ease of use.

I have installed texmaker and it is a far cry from the old versions. It sports a new version of
the graphical interface and is more integrated with other latex utilities like Kile. However, I am shocked that

windows cannot be resized! windows cannot be moved!

These are negatives for the current version (2.2.1) of this Latex editor.

This just in! I discovered that Ubuntu 11.04 windows do not contain Windows minimize and maximize buttons or controls. Press F7 while mouse is on the window and move the windows to the desired location. Press Al-F8 to to resize the windows. This is unnerving for new users of 11.04 Ubuntu.

Ubuntu 11.04 Natty Narwhal: Kile Latex IDE is broken

When I first tried using Kile in my new OS Ubuntu 11.04, it refused to insert math symbol selected from the left panel. So I removed the application and reinstalled again only now the program does not even run!

For published bug reports, see https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/kile/+bug/772631. I am now
trying to downgrade the version of KIle now back to 2.0.

Tried first to install a beta 5 version (kile_2.1.0~svn2010122beta5-1ubuntu1~natty1~ppa1_amd64.deb) but it still does not execute??!).

Even the downgrade does not work even!
Will watch for developments on Kile.

In the meantime I have installed texmaker and trying out its capabilities. The important thing in Linux is the freedom to choose from various softwares. Now a dedicated Latex editor is not only for beginners of Latex, it can also be used as a productivity enhancement for intermediate and advanced users of Latex, when time is important. Of course we allow other people the freedom to say that real Latex users dont use dedicated Latex editors, Emacs or Vi will do!


February 19, 2012. Kile works now in my upgraded Ubuntu Oneiric Ocelot. But Kile is still in version 1.2.