Can someone explain this difference in Mac vs Win policy ?

[m-s]

I can download a MathScript module for evaluation with the Windows evaluation version, but for the Mac, I have to first buy LabVIEW (the module is free, just can't be evaluated). Can someone explain the logic behind this nonsense ?

[tst]

My understanding was that the Mac and Linux versions do not have the activation mechanism that LV for Windows has, so you can't download the software and instead have to get a physical media which you buy. I believe the reasoning was that the market for each is too small to make it worthwhile to port the mechanism over, but since I don't use either, I'm not really aware of all the details.

[m-s]

Since the modules are free in each case, why would NI not simply make it available for download instead of having to invest money into physical media ?

After all, they do not have any such restrictions on downloading VISA for either platform.

The activation mechanism argument is inapplicable in this case. I am comparing LabVIEW evaluation version in Windows against LabVIEW evaluation version in Mac. Neither is (to the best of my knowledge) activated. So why require Mac users to buy LabVIEW before using MathScript, while Windows users can test out the full power of LabVIEW and MathScript without having to pay a penny ?

This sounds more like oversight, or a simple "go stuff yourself" attitude towards non-Windows users.

[Jeffrey_P]

NI's activation platform doesn't work on the Mac or Linux operating systems. We created a "special" evaluation version of LabVIEW for the Mac, but after the 30 days, it requires you to uninstall it and install the regular version of LabVIEW, which doesn't have activation.

VISA is offered as a free download because it a device driver, and by practice, all of NI's device drivers are free. However, the MathScript RT Module is an add-on for LabVIEW. The reason that the Mac and Linux versions are free is because we don't have LabVIEW Real-Time for Mac or Linux, and the real-time capabilities for the LabVIEW MathScript RT Module are the primary reason for the cost of the Module in the first place. This ability to deploy custom .m files to embedded hardware, and run them deterministically, as well as the plug-in tools to do profiling and testing, is a huge differentiator for MathScript on the Windows platform. However, that functionality doesn't exist on the Mac or Linux platform.

The reason you can't download the Module is because we need to be able to track who the users are. Each new release of LabVIEW brings a new version of the MathScript RT Module, and we physically mail the new media to all of the users who have "purchased" the free Module, just like with any purchased Module. If we simply said go download it, then each person would have to go re-download it with each release.

"Go stuff yourself" is certainly not the intention. You will be able to use the Mac version of MathScript (free) on the evaluation version of LabVIEW for Mac. To find this version, navigate to http://www.ni.com/trylabview/ and choose to "See Download Options". The mac version is linked within this page.

I hope you find this information both helpful and satisfactory.

[m-s]

Thank you for the response, Jeffrey.

I went to the site you linked. Chose my role as educator (I am getting one of my students I am working with, to do this and he said he could not find it). The MathScript RT module for 2010 opens up a link to a win_downloader.exe (or something like that) file. That is a windows application.

It appears that the student was right. There is no Mac version of the module available for evaluation.

[m-s]

I forgot to add that I had actually contacted NI for this version a few weeks ago. They told me (via phone and email) that I needed an actual serial number/license (which the evaluation version does not have) to get the MathScript module. This is straight from the horse's mouth, as it were.

So, your assertion that the module can be used with the Mac evaluation version even after you track your users, is patently not accurate. Can you please clarify and confirm that the the "stuff yourself" attitude is very real ?

[Jeffrey_P]

I apologize if I was confusing in my post. You cannot download the LabVIEW MathScript RT Module for Mac. You have to "purchase" it and have the media sent to you. This is because there is no activation mechanism on the Mac OS (at least not that ours works with). However, you can download the LabVIEW for Mac Eval version and use MathScript with it (as far as I know).

I will verify on Monday and let you know.

[m-s]

Thanks, Jeffrey.

I will look forward to your response on Monday.

[Jeffrey_P]

M-S,

I just tried to install the LabVIEW MathScript RT Module for Mac into the LabVIEW for Mac eval version. I received the following error:

""You cannot install LabVIEW 2009 MathScript RT module on this volume. LabVIEW 2009 must be installed first.""

This is something that SHOULD work, but unfortunately it does not right now. We have a CAR on file (#235596) that is targeted at LabVIEW 2011 to be fixed.

Theoretically, we want you to be able evaluate Modules along with the LabVIEW Development System. However, there is a problem with the MathScript RT Module for Mac that won't let you. This should be remedied with the 2011 release.

Please send me an email (Jeffrey.Phillips@ni.com) and we can discuss alternatives for you specifically.

[m-s]

I sent you an email earlier today. I am using LabVIEW 2010 eval.