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Often when I construct some cool Manipulate[] function, I would like to share it with others—non-Mathematica users. Some software, notably Cinderella, supports exporting some dynamic calculations to a Java applet. I can see why this would be very difficult to achieve with Mathematica, for it would require exporting all the under-the-hood calculations to Java.

Nevertheless, how do you all share dynamic results from Mathematica to others on the web? Often I resort to Export["filename.gif", {img1, img2, ...}, "GIF"] to share animations. What better alternatives are available?

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Also see this question if you'd like to embed them in your website. – rm -rf♦ Jan 23 '12 at 1:49

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You do not need to export an applet to be able to share things with non-Mathematica users. If you save your stuff as a CDF then other non-Mathematica people will be able to use it both on their desktops or view it in webpages (if you choose to embed your CDFs in a webpage). You can do this via File > Deploy

screenshot of appropriate menu

See also ref/format/CDF in the documentation center and the How To that is linked at the bottom.

Also some additional things that may help you:

#1 #2 #3

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Wonderful! I didn't know about CDF. Thanks so much! :-) – Joseph O'Rourke Jan 23 '12 at 1:14
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+1, the plugin (free) is all what is needed to run Mathematica applets (i.e. CDF's). On linux, the plugin for browser is not yet available, but the CDF player can be used. I wish WRI have used the term Mathematica applets instead of CDF, as the name applets is much more common and understood, and it will make it more clear what it is right away instead of one having to explain that a CDF is just like a Java applet. May be the name applet is copyrighted? I do not know. But myself, when I tell someone about these, I tell them it is a Mathematica applet, and they understand right away what it is. – Nasser Jan 23 '12 at 1:18
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@JosephO'Rourke Please note that there are certain restrictions to CDF documents. Import/Export are highly restricted (if possible at all). Additionally, the CDf should be centered around a single Manipulate. – Sjoerd C. de Vries Jan 23 '12 at 11:36
So, is it the case that anyone who wants to see a CDF must download something, as per Nasser's comment? For the casual passerby, this is an impediment... – Joseph O'Rourke Jan 23 '12 at 12:54

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