Get the MathwrightWeb Player

 

Mathwright Microworlds are multi-page documents that you may read online in your browser. You will be able to download and install MathwrightWeb below. You might like to visit the Mathwright Library and learn how it enables Library members to build their own collections on their machines, and to read them offline. MathwrightWeb is written in Mathscript on top of LISP on top of Java. The version of Java that we used to build them is Microsoft's J++ 6.0 because this makes available a flexible and simple authoring environment (Mathwright32 Author) and a friendly and transparent reader environment.

You can view the Microworlds online only in an ActiveX enabled browser, such as Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 or later, and you must be using one of the Windows 32-bit operating systems.

Our use of ActiveX controls to support the Microworlds reflects a design decision that, after two years experimentation with "pure" Java, we felt compelled to make. Since our aim was to provide a point-and-click authoring environment that gave authors as much freedom as possible to implement their ideas, and, at the same time, to make the product of their work technologically transparent to students, we found that we needed the full attention of a single compliant and mature operating system. The Microsoft Windows operating system is the canvas on which we have chosen to paint.

This requires Microsoft's Java Virtual Machine (JVM) which has been installed with Windows. All versions of Windows before Spring 2003 have the JVM, but Windows XP does not automatically install it any more. This is because Microsoft will not have permission from Sun Microsystems to upgrade its JVM after 2004.

Most likely, you have the Microsoft JVM on your machine, and you will have no problem reading our Microworlds in your browser or in your private collection of off line Microworlds. If you do not have the Microsoft JVM, however, we have two solutions. The simplest solution will be to download the Microsoft JVM and install it. We have Microsoft's permission to distribute it to you, and you may download a free copy for Windows 95/98/Me or XP here (5 M).

This is a short-term solution, and the long-term solution lies in Microsoft's new .NET (pronounced "dotnet") framework. There is another Player called Library MathwrightNET. This is written in anticipation of Microsoft's next operating system after XP, that should include its new .NET framework. For now, it's best to stick with MathwrightWeb. But if you have a new version of Windows XP (or later) and cannot view the Microworld, then we suggest that you follow the following link to the MathwrightNET Player page.

If you are ready to continue, please download the Library MathwrightWeb ActiveX Control Version 2.13 (2.6 M) now, by clicking the "atom" below. You may select "Open, or Run from the current location" to install the Control on your computer, or, note where you downloaded it, and then run the program once it is downloaded.

You should then check that the Security Settings in your Microsoft Internet Explorer browser under Tools, Internet Options, Security for the Internet, Custom Level have:

Once you have installed the Player, you may read the Microworld here.