Q: Can I post an Equator document to a web page?


A: Yes. The first step is to print your Equator document to a PDF file.

On a Mac, this capability is included in OS X. First select Print from the File Menu. Then click the PDF button at the bottom left of the Print Dialog.

To create a PDF file in Windows, you need a third-party utility such as Pdf995. After it is installed, select Print from the File Menu, and choose PDF995 as your printer.


Q: Can I export equations from my Equator document into another program, such as Word?


A: No. We get asked this from time to time, but it doesn't seem to have anything to do with homework and learning, so we respond that anyone who would ask the question would probably be better off with LaTex.

But if this is something you really want to do, there is a workaround. First, create a PDF file (see previous answer), and open it for viewing. In Windows, click the Snapshot Tool (picture of a camera). In OS X, click the Select Tool (picture of box with dashed border). Then swipe the mouse over the area you wish to copy, and paste it into the other document.

If you think there should be a select-image tool in Equator, let us know! (So far, nobody has.)


Q: Can Equator do calculus?


A: Not at the present time. Equator is for introductory courses. If you are using calculus, you are probably better off with Mathematica or Maple.

If you feel otherwise, please let us know! (So far, nobody has.)


Q: Can I copy general graphic images into an Equator figure?


A: No. To allow this would introduce what we call the PowerPoint Syndrome, a condition where users spend all their time making their documents look pretty, instead of focusing on what they want to say. Equator is about eliminating distractions, not creating them!

Equator figures are somewhat primitive, but they are versatile enough to get the point across. That's how we intended it.

If you feel otherwise, please let us know! (So far, nobody has.)


Q: I can't install my license. Equator says it has expired.


A: Write us and explain the circumstances. We'll send you a fresh Registration Code.


Q: I can't see any Help (Mac version only).


A: You may need to repair Help Viewer.


Q: I can't get the Windows version to start up.


A: If you get warnings about MSCOREE.DLL or .NETFramework, this means .NET is not installed on your machine. Click here to install it. If the trouble persists, you may need to remove .NET and reinstall it. You do not need to reinstall Equator.


Q: Never heard of Equator Software. Who are you?


A: Equator was founded by two veteran software developers, Loren Platzman and Bill Schauweker. We noticed that high school students were still using pencil-and-paper to do physics homework, and we ran into more than a few who were having a tough time of it, since they had been using a computer for just about everything else. And we figured, here is an opportunity to use our skills to help these kids, and their teachers, promote science education and make the world a better place! (Actually, we figured it was an opportunity to make a buck, but one does not exclude the other.)

If you want to know more about Loren, you can search for him on Google: He has taught at universities, published papers and played the piano for theatrical productions, the kind of activities that tend to get recorded on the web. But you won't find Bill. If you want to know more about Bill, please write us and tell us a bit about yourself - especially regarding your interest in Equator. And mention that you would like to know more about Bill.