On 02/21/2010 06:52 AM, Donnie Berkholz wrote:
> On 02:33 Fri 05 Feb     , Markus Dittrich wrote:
>>>   We also need to know whether we still want a leader. Some time ago
>>>   the question was raised, but got no definite answer.
>>
>> I think if we decide that we want a leader we should clearly
>> define what we expect her/him to do. We're a very diverse
>> bunch and the packages in science.g.o span a wide range of
>> fields so I am not 100% convinced that a lead will necessarily
>> be very effective. On the other hand, there are a few things
>> that definitely need improvement, documentation and eclasses
>> being some candidates here, and it might be nice to have somebody
>> who feels responsible and coordinates/delegates a bit. I'd
>> probably need a nudge once in a while ;)
> 
> One thing I think would be great is someone who would go out into 
> "science-land" and publicize how great Gentoo is for science. Perhaps 
> individual ambassadors for each branch of science, who would be willing 
> to proselytize at conferences, on discipline mailing lists, etc.

I have been working on some sci-mathematics ebuilds in the science
overlay and usually upstream was happily surprised to find that there is
a distribution shipping their software. I generally try to spread how
great Gentoo is for math :)

See for instance these two pages mentioning Gentoo:

http://www.math.uiuc.edu/Macaulay2/Downloads/GNU-Linux/Gentoo/

http://wwwopt.mathematik.tu-darmstadt.de/polymake/doku.php/download/start

Regards,
Thomas


-- 
Thomas Kahle

The fundamental theorem of algebra is open source. Like any other
mathematical theorem it can be applied free of charge and everybody
has access to its proof and can convince himself how it works. Why
should software be any different?