[ubuntu-uk] Curve-fitting program or package (a gnuplot example)

[Robin Menneer]

On 2/25/07, Tony Arnold <tony.arnold at manchester.ac.uk> wrote:
>
> Robin,
>
> Robin Menneer wrote:
>
> > In the instructions to  install gnuplot there is  a gap at the
> > beginning.  I could not find  how to start installing despite reading
> > the doc file README as  suggested.  I've never used apt and similar
> > commands, having been using only fortran and basic and kept away from
> > machine code.  Is grace any easier - it seems to be but I could not
> > fathom out how to load it.
>
> Use Synaptic! Search for gnuplot and then install it. Presumably, you've
> used Synaptic before to install stuff?


This is the first time I've tried to use  Synaptic Search and have got as
far as being asked for a package but failed to get the files listed by you.
I've got the .tar file into desktop but failed to link it up with Synaptic.
It's no good people raving about weaning ordinary folk out of windows if
they are subsequently let loose in such unfriendly territory.

You will ned packages gnuplot, gnuplot-nox and gnuplot-x11 (for seeing
> graphs on the screen). gnuplot-doc is probably essential.
>
> Not sure about grace. I think I may have tried it some years ago.
>
> >     Have you considered the graphing available to you in OpenOffice
> >     SpreadSheet? It may do something simple to get you going.
> >
> >
> > I find  OpenOffice very satisfying, using it more than anything else,
> > and at first reading, the graphing (charting) facility in OO draws
> > graphs but when I looked into it in detail (and on several occasions
> > because of my finding), I came to the conclusion that one axis has to be
> > discontinuous (like a bar chart) so I can't plot a proper curve on it.
> > Your reply brings me hope that I am wrong. Thank you for your attention,
>
> Thinking about it, I think you are right. And that was the reason I
> installed gnuplot, 'cos I had X,Y pairs I needed to plot.
>
> gnuplot is run in a terminal and has a command line interface, so it
> does take a bit of learning to get used to it.


Having used DOS for many years, I am not afraid of the concept of using
terminal, but just of the brute force that i may mistakedly misdirect in my
ignorance.   The warning in Synaptic *You can render your system unusable*
frightens the life out of me.  I'd rather abandon Ubuntu than foul up my
machine.  Thanks, Robin

Regards,
> Tony.
> --
> Tony Arnold, IT Security Coordinator, University of Manchester,
> IT Services Division, Kilburn Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL.
> T: +44 (0)161 275 6093, F: +44 (0)870 136 1004, M: +44 (0)773 330 0039
> E: tony.arnold at manchester.ac.uk, H: http://www.man.ac.uk/Tony.Arnold
>
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>
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