Mathematica Releases $295 Version For Home Use
Mathematica is one of the most impressive pieces of software I’ve ever used. I use it any time I can find an excuse, which is unfortunately not that often (it’s surprising how rarely math intrudes upon the actual day-to-day life of the software developer).
In line with its professional utility (my brother-in-law uses it when designing electromagnetics for FermiLab), Mathematica costs a pretty penny. However, Wolfram Research has just released a $295 version for non-professional use (Mathematica 7 Home Edition). Not exactly cheap, but when I specifically asked if it was limited, I was told it is “a fully functional version of Mathematica Professional with the same features.”
Finally! I scooted over to the Wolfram store to buy it as soon as I read this. I had wanted to buy it before, but was thwarted by the cost.
How retarded is it, however, that I still had to connect to their site through a U.S. proxy and give them a U.S. zip code when ordering (I actually live in the Caribbean) so that they would allow me to pay them? I don’t get it. Is Mathematica considered a munition under export control laws, or are they afraid that a paying customer will pirate their software, or what? It just seems retarded.