Using Mathematica on other computers

On the page where you download labs, there is a version of math2374.nb for Home and IT Labs use that will make the "ShowLive" and related commands work. However, because we can't provide computer support for every known configuration, you'll have to complete some steps on your own. We'll try to walk you through that here.

IT Unix Machines

The current version of Mathematica is 5.0. IT Labs had version 4.2, but have now downgraded to 4.1.2, which unfortunately doesn't include the "JLink" package which lets us use Java applets like Live Graphics 3D from within Mathematica. So you'll have to install that, along with a copy of the LiveGraphics3D file (until the IT Staff installs it systemwide). Follow these steps:

1. You'll have to add about 8MB to your IT account. Login and run the "quota" command to make sure you've got well over 8000 "blocks" (basically KB) free.
2. Download "live.jar" into your home directory from http://www.vis.uni-stuttgart.de/~kraus/LiveGraphics3D/download.html.
3. Go to http://www.wolfram.com/solutions/mathlink/jlink/ and follow the directions to download JLink into your home directory. You want the file named "JLink_v211_Unix.tar.Z "
4. Run the following commands from a shell prompt. You can copy and paste them from here:

   cd ~
   mkdir .Mathematica/4.1/AddOns
   mkdir .Mathematica/4.1/AddOns/Applications
   mkdir .Mathematica/4.1/AddOns/Applications/LiveGraphics3D
   mkdir .Mathematica/4.1/AddOns/Applications/LiveGraphics3D/Java
   mv ~/live.jar .Mathematica/4.1/AddOns/Applications/LiveGraphics3D/Java
   cd .Mathematica/4.1/AddOns/Applications
   mv ~/JLink_v211_Unix.tar.Z .
   uncompress JLink_v211_Unix.tar.Z
   tar xvf JLink_v211_Unix.tar
   rm JLink_v211_Unix.tar
   cd ~
   

5. If all goes well, you should be able to start mathematica now and use math2374_IT_or_Home.nb to load all the commands you need.

Windows Machines

If the Windows machine you're using has a recent version of Mathematica (at least 4.2) then you should be able to use the math2374_IT_or_Home.nb file without installing the JLink package.

You should still download the "live.jar" file as described in the section about. Once you click the button to load the commands, you will need to run one additional command to tell Mathematica where to fine the "live.jar" file:

AddToClassPath["C:\Documents and Settings\rogn0021\Desktop\live.jar"]

You should adjust the string inside the command to reflect where you saved the "live.jar" file. The pattern above would work on a Windows XP machine, for example, where my user name is "rogn0021" and I've saved the file on my desktop. If you're running Windows 98 and it's on your desktop, it might look more like:

AddToClassPath["C:\Windows\Desktop\live.jar"]

WARNING: If the Windows machine has an older version of Mathematica (pre 4.2), you'll have to install the JLink package in a similar manner as above. (Download it, unzip it, and put it in the AddOns/Applications directory in your Mathematica installation.) If you're working on your own computer, this might be possible. If you're working on an IT Labs Windows machine, you won't be able to do this.

Summary

Let Jonathan Rogness (or your lecturer, or your TA) know if you're having trouble getting this to work. We can't provide technical support in general, but we recognize that the ability to use these commands in other labs would be helpful. We will certainly try to make sure it works in Unix IT Labs.