IDL 6.2 and Mathematica 5.2
IDL 6.2 is now the default IDL version,
the one you start by just typing
idl,
idlde,
idlhelp, etc. IDL 6.2 comes with a completely new help system,
which has a much nicer interface and no longer requires Acrobat Reader. If
you wish to know what new features and enhancements have been implemented
in this new version, launch idlhelp and read "What's new in IDL 6.2".
Mathematica has been
upgraded to v5.2, which is now the default version. Read
about new features and improvements by launching
Mathematica
and clicking on "What's New in 5.2" in the Startup Palette (We skipped v5.1,
as we didn't receive the installation CDs).
New Python modules, and other minor software updates
Though the
Python course given a
few weeks ago perhaps didn't quite meet the expectations, it nonetheless
contributed to increase the interest of IAC users
in this powerful scripting language. We've been happy to install, upon user
request, the following Python modules in Linux:
pygsl (Python interface to the
GSL, which en passant has been upgraded to v1.7),
pyBLD (tool to analyse scientific
data), and
eric3
(full featured Python Integrated Development Environment).
Other software updates since the last Newsletter:
GVim/KVim 6.2.14 installed
in Linux;
gnuplot upgraded
to v4.0.0 in Linux;
indexf upgraded to v3.0 in Linux;
SExtractor updated to
v2.4.3 in Linux and Solaris; the
g95 compiler installed
in Linux and Solaris.
New IAC preprint submission form
Submitting an IAC preprint has never been so easy! With the new submission
form, the only thing you have to do is fill it in, and upload your postscript
or PDF file. The postscript number will be generated automatically, and the
preprint page updated (no more trips to our Secretariat Office to obtain the
number and hand them a hardcopy). The preprint page offers an improved layout
and new functionalities. Visit
http://marta/inves/preprints/ This application
runs in the SIE Web server for the time being, but will be installed in the
new PHP+mySQL enabled IAC external server as soon as the latter is ready.
Itanium 2 Cluster at the ULL
The ULL will shortly make the official announcement of the creation of a
new service, giving support for scientific computing:
http://www.saii.ull.es/ (their very own SIE).
The crown jewel of this service will be (for the time being) a brand new
cluster made up of 64 Itanium 2 processors, which researchers at the IAC
will have access to, in due time. According to
http://www.saii.ull.es/node/10,
the cluster has a storage capacity larger than 10.000 GB and an aggregated
performance above 300 GFlops. If you would like an account, please get in
touch, and we will keep you informed on further developments.
Do you have a computer or software problem and are
going to ask for help?
Receiving complete and accurate information about your problem is fundamental
for us in order to solve it quickly. We would like to suggest the following
tips:
- Always specify in what machine and operating system and version the
problem occurs.
- Tell what commands (including all flags, arguments etc.) you typed
or executed that led to the problem.
- Copy-and-paste the error messages you got, or describe what happened
exactly (the GUI crashed, the terminal hung, an image was displayed
upside-down, the PC emitted frightening noises, etc.).
- And please add any further information which may be of help.