The Horror Cabinet

I tried to download the economics pack but according to winzip and pkzip the file has an error in it and won't unpack.

Answer: "Well, I checked, and they unpacked fine."

Reply: "I found the problem, two problems actually. First when clicking on the links my browser (Netscape) saved the files as tar.tar files instead of tar.gz (I have no idea why). After correcting this, in winzip I had to turn off Tar File Smart CR/LF Conversion (on is apparently the default). Now everything appears to be working."

I am having trouble with the password. Checking my system, the license number seems to have changed from the one on the original certificate (ie. the number I gave you).

Answer: "I am sorry. I can give only one password. Check with WRI: they should give you a licence certificate that fits the program code. I'll expect that they will have difficulty doing so, but get them to state their error, and send me a copy of that statement. Since you are the first person who brings this problem up, I'll give you a $MachineID password now, so that you can at least start working. I'll enter your problem into the Horror Cabinet, so that others are warned that they should give the $LicenseID of the program (and not from licence certificate). My sympathy."

When I start with the first line Needs[ … ] then I don't get the question for the password but I get the output of the old Pack.

Answer: "You must clean the $Path in your init.m. Apparently it refers to the old Pack."

Yesterday I transferred 49 Euro to your Postgiro Bank Account. Now I see that the software's price only is 39 Euro, so I thought, I transfer you the additional 20 Euro and you can send me the book too.

Answer: "It is unfortunate that you pay in slices. Bank charges are for each separate handling. I wonder whether I can send you the book, since the net proceeds don't really cover the costs now. If you can, please cancel that last EUR 20 payment, and let us discuss this first !"

I have sent you the payment long ago, but the bank apparently takes a long time to handle it. Can you please give me the password ?

Answer: "I called my bank today, and your payment has not yet arrived. Let us please wait till it has."

(Note: It seems that the quickest way for customers is to send a cheque by mail. Or one can use the International Postal Money Order (Mandat de Post International), which seems like an antique way, but still is effective.)

Hi, I bought the Economics Pack, but I overlooked that I need Mathematica too. What should I do now ?

Answer: "Buy Mathematica."

My password does not work. Does it make a difference that I am on a network ?

Answer: "Single user licences on a Network should supply cool@dataweb.nl with a $MachineID (instead of the $LicenseID). Also, if you are working as a single user with Mathematica from the network, you should contact your systems manager for installing the Pack in the same directory where Mathematica is installed (as you would do on a stand alone machine)."

Hi, I've gone from a Macintosh to a Windows machine. Apparently I need a new password, can you give me this ?

Answer: "I don't understand this. Your password is based on your $LicenseID, and if you use the same CD of Mathematica, there should be no problem."

Reply: "I've found it. It was just the Macintosh conversion of files."

I have purchased MM 4.0 but fear installing it will disable your add-in which is nestled into the help file, all working fine, etc. Have you checked out 4.0? Am I shooting myself in the foot? Apparently 4.0 handles word processing compatibility better and (...) that is helpful. But not at the expense of not being able to use your programs.

Answer: "Just use M4, and just copy the Economics directory from the Applications directory of M3 to the Applications directory of M4."