Okay, now that I have the system configured properly and have finished
'taking inventory'... of the newest SL, back to my initial inquiry, part 
B:

B. 'Scientific' software packages:
I thought SL default-installed a whole hoard of scientific/education
packages, as those I seem to recall from v 4.3 or older.  Where can I get

 these?

I recall a much earlier version of SL, (perhaps 4.2 or less from a couple

years ago, that had REAL scientific applications, perhaps many used in
college level or, more likely, real laboratory research.  So, what happen
ed
to SL since then?  Was it not finding a 'following'?

Honestly re. 5.4, my kids were literally laughing last night at the array
 of
"scientific" apps in SL.  [Of course my 10th-grade son is taking 5 honors

courses (college level) in private school, and my younger daughter has a
habit of beating him in everything, "bless their hearts".]  Only I stayed
 up
last night to play w/ Kstars on SL and an old telescope, at least until I

realized I believe Stellarium- under another distro -has an 'edge' over K
stars.
Just not really sure what SL has been doing...  i.e: Where are those real

scientific apps!!?
Somewhat dismayed at the use of "scientific" in current SL.
Al