Wolframalpha - is it worth it ?

[CommRLock78]

Recently it was suggested that we refrain from using amazon, now I'm thinking of just flatly ignoring wolframalpha's existence, and refraining from using it (which I haven't been doing much of lately anyway).

My first issue with wolfram was the ridiculous (java-powered ?) login window. Used to be one didn't need to sign in to get the basic service, now one does, through a messy login window that forgets your password even when you've told it to remember all the details.

Just now, I was trying to save myself the hassle of multiplying out a bunch of binomials, but I couldn't even connect to the stupid server - what a waste of time ...

Does anyone else have these kinds of problems trying to use wolfram, or, as a friend of mine suggested, know if they give preferential treatment to paid users than non-paying users ?

[Selezen]

Recently it was suggested that we refrain from using amazon

Do you mean Google?

[Commander McLane]

Recently it was suggested that we refrain from using amazon

Do you mean Google?

All of them. The whole bunch. (Include Apple, Facebook, Clouds, and the Internet as well.)

[drew]

Recently it was suggested that we refrain from using amazon

Do you mean Google?

All of them. The whole bunch. (Include Apple, Facebook, Clouds, and the Internet as well.)

Personally I think we should all turn off our television sets and go and do something less boring instead.

Cheers,

Drew.

[Selezen]

Possibly the most ironic TV series in the history of TV.

A TV series about doing anything other than watching TV. Nice.

[Cody]

I don't have a television - threw the hateful thing out yarons ago. I'm a supporter of White Dot!

[Selezen]

What an AWESOME idea!

I'm the only one in my household who decries the television. I see it as an object for watching selected high-brow entertainment, not unlike a cinema. Not reality trash or "I HAD MY KILLER BROTHER'S BABY" type programming.

I have a hard rule that the TV stays off at mealtimes. That is about as far as I've managed to get so far...

[Smivs]

I wouldn't like to be without my TV, but like Selezen I am pretty choosy about what I watch - mostly movies, footie (and some cricket), and BBC4-type docs etc.
And of course endless Peppa Pig DVDs when the Smivslets are home

[Cody]

I have a hard rule that the TV stays off at mealtimes.

That is one of the best rules of the lot - kudos to you!

[Kasero]

[...]
And of course endless Peppa Pig DVDs when the Smivslets are home

I see that they are all the same around the world

[Thargoid]

Mine tend to be Horrible Histories, but the general theory is sound enough.

[CommRLock78]

Personally I think we should all turn off our television sets and go and do something less boring instead.

Cheers,

Drew.

Drew: I couldn't agree more - I watch about 30 minutes a day, pretty much while we're eating lunch and occasionally dinner. %$#^&! TV

[CommRLock78]

Recently it was suggested that we refrain from using amazon

Do you mean Google?

As CML says, all of them actually, but particularly, I was referring to this thread .

Edit: While it's great to hear the opines of TV on the board, I still wonder what thoughts are on wolframalpha. Does anyone else make the occasional use of the service - and if so, what are your thoughts on

• the login window
• the basic service in general
• the fact that you have to sign in at all for this basic service

I find these things to be a PITA, and have me wondering if I should ever waste my time with it again

[Gimbal Locke]

My first issue with wolfram was the ridiculous (java-powered ?) login window. Used to be one didn't need to sign in to get the basic service, now one does, through a messy login window that forgets your password even when you've told it to remember all the details.

On topic: I just tried Wolfram Alpha again after reading your post, no login was asked. I did not need any Java, only had to enable JavaScript.

About TV: I stopped watching in 1989, when commercial TV made its entry in my country and public TV dumbed down trying to compete with commercial TV. It was also the time when I left my parents' house, so I never owned a TV. Never missed it, the Lockelets sometimes watch it at their grandparents' place. It did however return in some form on the computer via the web under the guise of YouTube etc.

[CommRLock78]

My first issue with wolfram was the ridiculous (java-powered ?) login window. Used to be one didn't need to sign in to get the basic service, now one does, through a messy login window that forgets your password even when you've told it to remember all the details.

On topic: I just tried Wolfram Alpha again after reading your post, no login was asked. I did not need any Java, only had to enable JavaScript.

I'm not sure if it is java ( ), but it is definitely different than say, signing into the forums here, there's a separate window that pops up. You don't need to sign in to use the most elementary functions of wolfram, but if you want to look at any details whatsoever in the output, you have to be signed in

About TV: I stopped watching in 1989, when commercial TV made its entry in my country and public TV dumbed down trying to compete with commercial TV. It was also the time when I left my parents' house, so I never owned a TV. Never missed it, the Lockelets sometimes watch it at their grandparents' place. It did however return in some form on the computer via the web under the guise of YouTube etc.

- I'd prefer not own one at all, but my wife has a few things she likes to watch.