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% AUTHOR:       Christophe Prud'homme
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% ORIG-DATE:     8-Feb-97 at 16:51:26
% LAST-MOD:     11-Feb-97 at 22:27:27 by Christophe Prud'homme
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\chapter{Introduction}

\textbf{FreeFEM} is an implementation of the \textbf{Gfem} language dedicated
to the finite element method. It provides you a way to solve Partial
Differential Equations (PDE) simply. Although you can solve quite complicated
problems can be solved also.
\par
In this manual we are going to describe the \textbf{freeFEM} package:
\begin{itemize}
\item Compilation step
\item How to use the language
\item A quick presentation of how it is done
\item A library for mesh adaptation\index{mesh adaptation}. You are not obliged to use it or to
  compile it
\end{itemize}
\par

\section{Conventions}
\label{sec:conventions}

\begin{itemize}

\item
A \textbf{triangulation}\index{triangulation}, T,  is a set of triangles covering a domain 
refered later as $\Omega$

\item
Each \textbf{vertex}\index{vertex} has a number \textbf{iv}, a region reference  number
\textbf{region}, and a boundary reference  number \textbf{ib} which is zero for
internal points.

\item
An \textbf{array-function}\index{array-function} is an array of values on the vertices of T. It
represents a  piecewise linear continuous (or discontinuous if
\verb+precise+ is used) function on $\Omega$.

\item
In an integrated environment \textbf{Gfem}  has the notion of Project: files
shown on the desktop as documents with an icon like a triangulated
rectangle (on the Macintosh).

\item 
A \textbf{project}\index{project} contains a program, the last triangulation created and one
array function, namely the last function displayed.

\end{itemize}

\section{Software and Documentation}
\label{sec:soft}

\textbf{FreeFEM} is available on Internet. Check the following http\index{http} site:
\begin{center}
\htmladdnormallink{www.asci.fr}{http://www.asci.fr/\~{}prudhomm/gfem-html/freefem}
\end{center}

The software is under several formats:
\begin{itemize}
\item sources for Unix \texttt{freefem-x.xx.tar.gz}
\item sources for Pc \texttt{freefem-x.xx.zip}
\item Some binaries for differents platforms:
  \begin{itemize}
  \item HPUX 10.20
  \item LINUX 2.0
  \item IRIX 6.2 \& 6.3
  \item RS6000 Power Pc
  \end{itemize}
\end{itemize}

\par
Others documentations are available on the \textbf{FreeFEM} Web site. These
might provide further enlightment on the software.

\paragraph{AUTHORS}
The authors are, in alphabetical order:
\begin{itemize}
\item Dominique Bernardi    \texttt{<??>}
\item Frederic Hecht        \htmladdnormallink{\texttt{<Frederic.Hecht@inria.fr>}}{mailto:Frederic.Hecht@inria.fr}
\item Castro J. Manollo     \htmladdnormallink{\texttt{<castro@gamba.cie.uma.es>}}{mailto:castro@gamba.cie.uma.es}
\item Pascal Parole         \htmladdnormallink{\texttt{<pascal@area-mundi.fr>}}{mailto:pascal@area-mundi.fr}
\item Olivier Pironneau     \htmladdnormallink{\texttt{<pironneau@ann.jussieu.fr>}}{mailto:pironneau@ann.jussieu.fr}
\item Christophe Prud'homme \htmladdnormallink{\texttt{<Christophe.Prudhomme@asci.fr>}}{mailto:Christophe.Prudhomme@asci.fr}
\end{itemize}


\section{The FreeFEM World}
\label{sec:freefem-world}

\index{freefem-announce@asci.fr}
\index{freefem-users@asci.fr}

\begin{itemize}
\item I already told you about the WWW Home Page. 
\item There are two \textbf{FreeFEM} mailing lists\index{mailing lists}
\begin{enumerate}
\item \texttt{freefem-announce@asci.fr}: \textbf{moderated} list used to announce new
  versions of \textbf{FreeFEM} or contributions to it
\item \texttt{freefem-users@asci.fr}: \textbf{unmoderated} list for the
  users.
\end{enumerate}
If you want to subscribe to these  mailing lists send a mail to
\begin{enumerate}
\item \texttt{freefem-announce-request@asci.fr}
\item \texttt{freefem-users-request@asci.fr}
\end{enumerate}
Put the word \texttt{subscribe} in the 'Subject' field or in the body of the
text. You will get a mail with a nice message of welcome.\\
If you write to unsubcribe, just replace \texttt{subscribe} by \texttt{unsubscribe} in
you mail submission.
\end{itemize}

\begin{latexonly}
  You can fill a Html Form under the html version of this document if you want
  to subscribe to the mailing lists.
\end{latexonly}

\begin{rawhtml}
  <hr>
  Subscribe to the FreeFEM Mailing Lists
  <form action="freefem-mailing.pl" method="get">
  Select the Mailing lists you want to subscribe, 
  You can select both mailing lists:<br>
  <menu>
  <li> <input type="checkbox" name="announce"> freefem-announce </li>
  <li> <input type="checkbox" name="users"> freefem-users </li>
  </menu>
  Please Enter Your E-Mail address: <input type="text" size="20" name="email"> <br>
  Send Subscription: <input type="submit">
  </form>  
\end{rawhtml}

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