Bug#361418: Debian menu and the Apps/Science section

[Daniel Leidert <daniel.leidert.spam@gmx.net>]

Am Sonntag, den 14.05.2006, 18:20 +0200 schrieb Thomas Walter:
> On Sun, 2006-05-14 at 17:01, Bill Allombert wrote:
> > Hello Debian Science people,
> > 
> > There is a discussion (in bug #361418) on the future of the Debian
> > menu structure. In case you missed it, we would like to have your
> > opinions on the entries for scientific applications.
> > 
> > The relevant sections are:
> > 
> >   Mathematics [was:Math]
> >   Mathematics-related software.
> >   gcalctool, snapea, xeukleides
> > 
> >   Science
> >   Software for natural and social sciences, humanities, etc.
> >   ncbi-epcr, earth3d, therion
> > 
> > Please send comment to bug #361418.
> > 
> 
> >From my point of view this 2 section names are arbitrary and too global.
> It also opens a long discussion about the hirarchy.

There is IMHO no need. Why not use the freedesktop.org's menu
specification as reference? This would help to allow a user an easier
orientation.

> I think Mathematics
> is also part of Science. 

ACK.

> At least for application like axiom, octave,
> mathematica, ...
> So having a Math section in parallel to Science could be for more
> "calulator" oriented SW.

I don't think so. I know, OOo Math isn't a real scientific software. But
there are people who think, that Ex**l is a tool for graphical analysis
of measurement values. I believe, nobody has the _real_ definition for
what is really scientific software. So IMHO it doesn't make sense to
have a Mathematics section inside and outside Science/Education. Or do
you know a definition to know the difference?

> In general, my understanding of "Science" is in the sense of research
> and not education.

I do not agree. Education also means science. It doesn't just mean
"teaching". For me, there is no difference between Science and
Education. Where is the difference IYO?

> Thus an example breakdown within Sience could be like
> 	Mathematics
> 	Physics
> 	Bio
> 	Chemistry
> 	Astronomics
> 	Geology
> 	...
> where some applications or tools can be part of several sub-sections.
> Perhaps applications which could be used in nearly all sub-sections
> could go into a "General" or "Common" Section.
> 
> In parallel to section "Science" have a section "Education".

And there also:
	Mathematics
	Physics
	Bio
	Chemistry
	Astronomics
	Geology
	...
?

Doesn't sound like a good idea to me.

just my 2 cents
Regards, Daniel