The stunning riddle of the Maplesoft Site Search
Vladimir Bondarenko
The thrilling riddle of the Maplesoft Site Search heat
my imagination.
During the last month I almost every day visit Maplesoft and
at any attempt to use the Search facility at
http://www.maplesoft.com/search/
see the same:
> The Maplesoft site-wide search feature is currently being
> redeveloped and will soon be available to help you. In the
> meantime, you can search through the Application Center and
> Maple books databases.
No, I need not these, I need just a regular search facility.
What a wonder of software engineering Art the user will see
one fine day that required so much time to be designed and
implemented?
But most of all, a terrible suspicion gnaws my heart.
Will it also have a Java interface?! ;)
Oh noooo, God forbid!
Best wishes,
Vladimir Bondarenko
http://www.cybertester.com/
http://maple.bug-list.org/
http://www.CAS-testing.org/
Fred
Try to search for documentation for example about Maple
functions. There is none.
Someone who never used Maple and wants to get an idea of
its capabilities, then the first thing one would do is
look for a list of the functions provided. There is no
such list.
Compare that to the Mathematica web site, go to main site,
type documentation in the search box, first entry shown is
http://documents.wolfram.com/mathematica/
and there is a list of all the build in functions. with
FULL documentation of each function, and examples.
On maple main site, even the search button itself is hard to
see, small and hidden, and one must click on it first to go
to another page where you are supposed to be able to
write the search string (instead of typing the search
string right there on the main page as with the MMA case).
And when one goes to the search page, there is no place to
put a search string and one have to click on links to
try to find what they want.
Vladimir Bondarenko
Since October 2004, for more than 3 months, I keep trying to
use a regular search form at the main Maplesoft site...
No luck yet.
I keep seeing at http://www.maplesoft.com/search/index.aspx
the same message
"The Maplesoft site-wide search feature is currently being
redeveloped and will soon be available to help you."
I believe here we are running into 2 possibilities:
1. A grandiose masterpiece of Search Art is coming within
the next months.
2. Maplesoft has no idea of providing this regular facility
whatsoever, and the above message is no more than yet another
Maplesoft's blind, yet another unfulfilled promise, as it is
unfortunately became regular for Maplesoft during the last
years.
Also, I fully agree with Fred's opinion
http://groups-beta.google.com/group/sci.math.symbolic/msg/023087adaae30f64
that full Maple documentation should be available on-line
(like for example, Wolfram Research, Inc, the Mathematica
makers
http://documents.wolfram.com/mathematica/
and SciFace GmbH, the MuPAD makers
have done it long ago) as well as with his comments about
the location/size of the Search button.
F> On maple main site, even the search button itself is hard
F> to see, small and hidden, and one must click on it first
F> to go to another page where you are supposed to be able
F> to write the search string (instead of typing the search
F> string right there on the main page as with the MMA case).
F> And when one goes to the search page, there is no place
F> to put a search string and one have to click on links
F> to try to find what THEY want.
Yes, what THEY want for OUR money.
Best wishes,
Vladimir Bondarenko
VM and GEMM architect
Gnu_Raiz
> Hi all,
>
> Since October 2004, for more than 3 months, I keep trying to
> use a regular search form at the main Maplesoft site...
>
> No luck yet.
>
> I keep seeing at http://www.maplesoft.com/search/index.aspx
> the same message
>
> "The Maplesoft site-wide search feature is currently being
> redeveloped and will soon be available to help you."
>
> I believe here we are running into 2 possibilities:
>
> 1. A grandiose masterpiece of Search Art is coming within
> the next months.
>
> 2. Maplesoft has no idea of providing this regular facility
> whatsoever, and the above message is no more than yet another
> Maplesoft's blind, yet another unfulfilled promise, as it is
> unfortunately became regular for Maplesoft during the last
> years.
>
>>snip>>
>
> have done it long ago) as well as with his comments about
> the location/size of the Search button.
>
> F> On maple main site, even the search button itself is hard
> F> to see, small and hidden, and one must click on it first
> F> to go to another page where you are supposed to be able
> F> to write the search string (instead of typing the search
> F> string right there on the main page as with the MMA case).
>
> F> And when one goes to the search page, there is no place
> F> to put a search string and one have to click on links
> F> to try to find what THEY want.
>
>
> Yes, what THEY want for OUR money.
>
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Vladimir Bondarenko
<snip>
I don't see what the problem is, other than your habit of top posting,
and html in you signature file. I hope you will be more considerate in the
future and follow proper posting procedures.
http://www.netmeister.org/news/learn2quote2.html
To solve your search problem you might want to consider using google's
search site feature, like this as an example. This is all done in google's
search bar, just type this in, or what ever your searching for.
truth tables site:www.maplesoft.com
This will return information only on maplesofts site, this is handy on
other sites that have large volumes of information, or poor search
engines.
Gnu_Raiz
Vladimir Bondarenko
am
GR> I don't see what the problem is,
Let me explain specially for you:
With the current inadequate support of Maple and Maple customers,
with its current ostrich policy of non-communicating with its
customers (in contrast with, for example, Wolfram Research and
SciFace GmbH customers-developers dialogues) Maplesoft is running
real risk of going out of business, and Cyber Tester would like to
attract the attention of the Maplesoft's leaders and general public
to this sad possible outcome.
GR> other than your habit of top posting,
This has nothing to do with habits, mine or someone's.
This is a question of strategy.
GR> http://www.netmeister.org/news/learn2quote2.html
Thank you for the link.
GR> To solve your search problem
I have NO problem with search whatsoever.
It is Maplesoft which has this problem... and not only this.
GR> you might want to consider using google's search site feature
If you really think I couldn't find a workaround, you may wish to
visit
http://www.cas-testing.org/index.php?list=3
http://www.cas-testing.org/index.php?list=7
http://www.cas-testing.org/SciFace.phtml
etc
The problem is that the behavior Maplesoft demonstrates with the
current long-suspended status of their Search is unfortunately
typical for the most recent period of Maple development, and the
exact name for it is,
LACK OF ERGONOMICS.
In other words, the Maple customers buy Maple to resolve our tasks
AS QUICKLY AS IT IS POSSIBLE. But alas these hopes fail too often,
and something should be done to fix this plight.
http://groups-beta.google.com/group/sci.math.symbolic/msg/dd5e6a02c428dad9
http://groups-beta.google.com/group/comp.soft-sys.math.maple/msg/6002b726f9f2e669
http://groups-beta.google.com/group/comp.soft-sys.math.maple/msg/5067451c29b50714
http://groups-beta.google.com/group/comp.soft-sys.math.maple/msg/691d8f9b4295cb82
http://groups-beta.google.com/group/comp.soft-sys.math.maple/msg/de2098727d9fed4f
http://groups-beta.google.com/group/comp.soft-sys.math.maple/msg/860d5190bcff0bba
http://groups-beta.google.com/group/sci.math.symbolic/msg/9e2bd397c9c9e9fd
etc etc
Best wishes,
Vladimir Bondarenko
VM and GEMM architect
Co-founder, CEO, Mathematical Director
Cyber Tester, LLC