Re: Octave on Reddit

[Jake]

I wouldn't be too concerned about the Python related comments; these are just 
Python fanboys bragging about how much better Python is than every other 
language and piece of software on the planet.  On a personal note, I'm pretty 
sure all their comments about speed are moot based on the fact that NumPy's 
sqrt function is twice as slow as using Python's built in ** exponent operator.

Back on topic though, this is kind of what I was talking about when I mentioned 
the lack of (built-in) odexx functions.  Though there is lsode, I think the 
typical person who starts with MATLAB gives Octave a chance until they notice 
that a few essential functions are missing.  I'm not talking about MATLAB's 
toolboxes necessarily, but rather a few spoils that MATLAB provides while 
Octave does not.

I was particularly surprised recently that Octave does not have LTI functions 
built-in (ss, tf, step, impulse, etc.)

-Jake

On Wed, 29 Sep 2010 04:01:12 -0500
Jordi Gutiérrez Hermoso <address@hidden> wrote:

> It seems a popular news site has picked up Octave's homepage:
> 
>      
> http://www.reddit.com/r/math/comments/dk61b/free_alternative_to_matlab_check_octave_out/
> 
> A few months ago, something similar happened:
> 
>      
> http://www.reddit.com/r/math/comments/c3pqb/ever_wished_you_had_a_matlab_license_octave_is/
> 
> It's really sad to read the comments, though. Many suggest to use
> other things instead of Octave, and many others say that Octave is
> irreparably inferior as compared to Matlab. The consistent criticisms
> seem to be that plotting is bad, that functions are slow, and that
> features are missing as compared to Matlab, e.g. toolboxes. Only one
> person seems to be complaining about lack of Simulink, which I recall
> was a more frequent complaint earlier, and I haven't heard it
> recently. A couple suggest that Octave is only suitable for homework
> problems, not "real" work, and that it's better to get Matlab by
> infringing its copyright.
> 
> I guess we can think of these as "growth opportunities". I hope that
> the general perception of Octave is better than what this sample of
> opinions shows.
> 
> Oh well.
> 
>      Chantez compagnons, dans la nuit la liberté vous écoute
>      Motivés, motivés
>      Il faut rester motivés!
>      Motivés, motivés
>      Il faut se motiver!
>      Motivés, motivés
>      Soyons motivés!
>                              -- Zebda
> 
> Still motivated,
> - Jordi G. H.
>