Software

Setting up a Linux Desktop Environment in Windows 10 WSL

In this guide, I’ll show you how to install and use a XFCE desktop environment in the Windows Subsystem for Linux. Getting Windows Ready In order to get a graphical install of Linux working in the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), you will need version 2. WSL2 is only available in Windows 10, Version 2004, Build 19041 or higher. To find out which version of Windows your device is running, press the Windows logo key + R, type winver in the Open box, and then select OK.

Mathematica for Poor Undergrads

The Issue If you’re like me, there are times when you need to use Mathematica, but your wallet says no. Recently, while computing the one-loop correction to electron-electron scattering, I ran into some nasty integrals that SymPy just couldn’t handle. I knew from experience that Mathematica would be able to do what I needed, but the $165 price for students is just egregious. Mathematica prices for students The Solution After much searching, I discovered that Wolfram provides their engine free of charge to developers.