CALIPSO for Linear Algebra is a shareware package to help students learn linear algebra. It is operated from a worksheet similar to the one used by MATLAB, but is much easier to use. CALIPSO performs virtually any process encountered in a first term introductory linear algebra course or a second term course emphasizing numerical methods. The two principle goals in its development are to provide an environment in which a student can easily solve problems without excessive hand calculation, and to involve the student as much as possible in the execution of the more complex algorithms such as the QR method. Here is a list of a few of the functions available.

• The worksheet is a full-screen editor that can be used to prepare reports or submit assignments.
• Matrix operations: addition, scalar multiplication, multiplication, transpose, inverse, and expressions involving these operations. Powers and iterates of matrices can be performed sequentially for use in Markov process applications.
• Row operations can be performed on a matrix displayed in a window.
• Automatic reduction to echelon forms and automatic solution of systems of equationwith or without partial pivoting.
• LU, QR, and Cholesky factorizations.
• Eigenvalue functions including characteristic polynomials with rational root calculated, power method, Hessenberg form, QR method. The progress of the power and QR methods is displayed on the screen.
• Norms and condition numbers of matrices.

CALIPSO is available in two versions. The older DOS version has been around for about seven years and is thoroughly tested by the many people who have used it. This version will run on any version of DOS including all Windows versions.

The Windows 95 or NT version is much easier to use and has many new features. Anyone is welcome to take a copy by FTP. Registration instructions are included. I will appreciate any suggestions or reports of errors. It is a 32-bit program that will accept matrices of virtually any size and works with real or complex scalars in fractional or decimal mode.

To obtain version 3.2 for Windows 95 or NT read the instructions in this paragraph and then click on CALIPSO for Linear Algebra, Version 3.2
Download this file into the directory from which you want to run Calipso (or a temporary directory or disk). Run lawin95.exe. It will explode into many files. You can delete lawin95.exe or keep it, as you wish. It is important to retain the file message.reg; otherwise the program will not run.

To obtain a copy of the DOS shareware read the instructions in this paragraph and then click on CALIPSO for Linear Algebra, Version 2.2
Download this file into the directory you want CALIPSO to use and run linalg.exe. It will explode into several files.

If your web server cannot accomodate this transfer, you can obtain the files by ftp at ftp://ftp.uidaho.edu/pub/ibmpc/math/.