Upgrading from Mathcad 8--is it worth it?

[fel3]

Yes, I'm still using Mathcad 8. I got started with the last DOS version and upgraded my personal and work copies each time through v8. Then the upgrade price increased to a level I couldn't justify because v8 did and still does most of what I need (primarily algebra, trig, keeping track of units, an occasional matrix, etc.) I mostly use Mathcad for general civil engineering calculations such as retaining walls, hydraulics, and anything that requires detailed documentation.

However, the interface has always been a bit cludgy to me and there are a couple of features in subsequent versions I could find a use for. Also, most of the Mathcad documents available online don't support v8. So, I am thinking of upgrading. It could be to v15/Prime, or it could be to an intermediate version.

For those of you who have kept up with the upgrades, do you think it's worth getting v15/Prime? Is there an intermediate version you prefer? I know Prime is not a substitute for v15, but would it be a reasonable substitute for v8?

Thanks for your opinions.

==========
"Is it the only lesson of history that mankind is unteachable?"
--Winston S. Churchill

 

[IRstuff]

Prime is probably tolerable, but there's supposed to be a better version coming out that's closer to what M15 might be. Generally, unless you REALLY, REALLY need something in M15, it's probably not worth it to upgrade.

I mostly use 11, myself, but we've got some locations at work with only 15, and I can't get my copy of 11 into those locations.

In any case, M15's look and feel shouldn't be that different from M8's.

TTFN

FAQ731-376
Chinese prisoner wins Nobel Peace Prize

 

[zdas04]

I went the other way and upgraded every time to V14. Several of the even numbered releases were REALLY buggy (V12 was the worst). I was really happy with V13, but something happened that corrupted my security files and it simply would not reinstall. I went to V14 after it had been out for a year and it has been as bullteproof as MathCad ever has been. I heard V15 was kind of buggy when it first came out, but that was a while ago and I'd guess that the problems have been worked out. With PTC's policy that you have to pay for maintenance releases now, I'm sticking with V14 for a while.

David

 

[IRstuff]

M15 shouldn't have had bugs, since it was supposedly M14 release M050 or thereabouts

TTFN

FAQ731-376
Chinese prisoner wins Nobel Peace Prize

 

[IFRs]

I like 15
I don't like Prime
Yet

 

[IRstuff]

Prime is probably another version or so away from full capability

TTFN

FAQ731-376
Chinese prisoner wins Nobel Peace Prize

 

[marine86]

I no longer have win xp and have win7. any way to install and run mathcad8 under win7?

 

[EdClymer]

I started with MathCAD 6, then progressed? to 2000 version and MathCAD 14.

Understand that MathCAD 8 is very limited, as to units and graphics.

In my view, best of the lot is MathCAD 2000, does every thing (and more) that I need.

Root of the problem, is that 2 + 2 is still 4 - no matter what version being used.

I would hate to be without 2000 version.

Trust this helps

Ed Clymer
Resinfab & Associates
England