[Axiom-developer] Re: LatexWiki for free open source AXIOM computer algebra system

[Bob McElrath]

Bill Page address@hidden wrote:
> I still get a grey/blue background for the LaTeX generated
> graphics. (I am using MS Explorer 6.0 -- perhaps a cause of
> some differences?)

MS IE does not properly implement alpha-channel PNG's except on mac.
This is a well-known IE bug (google for 'IE alpha channel PNG' --
there's a petition out there somewhere).  I don't use any MS software so
I cannot verify or fix this mis-feature in their browser.  If you can
provide a fix I'd accept it...

Mozilla works great, is free, and supports MathML.  LatexWiki will get
MathML in the near future...  I've been thinking about using some XSLT
to let the browser transform the page to either images or MathML
depending on its capabilities.  Something similar might be possible to
select PNG/GIF for IE.  XSLT is a complicated, difficult beast though.

> In the LatexWiki code I see that you use the Ghostscript
> pnggray device. I am running Ghostscript 7.x on RedHat 9.
> As far as I know pnggray does not generate "alpha-channel"
> transparent graphics. To do that you need the GS pngalpha
> device, no?

The GS pnggray is not alpha-channeled but PIL then generates an alpha
channel.  (look for 'alpha' in latexWrapper.py)

> > i.e. in your stylesheet.css change::
> > 
> >     img.equation { vertical-align: middle; border: 0px; 
> > background-color: #ffcccc; }
> >
> 
> I will try this.

This will not fix the IE bug.  (But if you can make it white this way
let me know, it would be an easy fix for IE!)

> I also use Maple heavily and am active in Maple beta testing
> for the new release. I have'nt used Maxima much myself. The
> best place to ask about Axiom vs. Maxima would be on the axiom
> user's list.
>
>   address@hidden
> 
> Perhaps Tim Daly will be able to add something when he gets
> a few spare moments.

I will do that, thanks!  This week I'm at a conference looking for new
projects, so I'll think about how I can explore a new symbolic algebra
package at the same time.  :)

I like the idea of texmacs, the maple interface just plain sucks.  I
hope they're working on that...I don't even use the new java one because
it's terrible.  I use the old Motif one...

--
Cheers,
Bob McElrath [Univ. of California at Davis, Department of Physics]
    
    Stop the spread of the dangerous chemical Dihydrogen Monoxide!
        http://www.dhmo.org

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