Hello

[akinlaw]

Hello  I am a new member to the forum,literally just joined & logged in. I have purchased some fractal geometry books and looked over Mandelbrot's Fractal Nature book plus some others but only superficially. First question: can anyone recommend a relatively straightforward introductory book that shows the math involved, without
going too deep?  Looks like to iterate the 2-D sets, the equation is pretty simple.  Secondly, what is a free and simple computer program that I could use in a classroom setting to show students (in this case health professionals) how to generate fractals?  I have a start-up company to teach nurses, and want to include some fractal dosing for respiratory meds (since the lungs approximate a natural fractal) but want to introduce the subject in a glitzy or jazzy manner (because people fall asleep when math is discussed) and
a simple to use program "here's how to generate the Julia set, etc" would hopefully generate some excitement.  So, first I need to review the subject myself, and secondly, need a teaching tool that is simple to illustrate the concept(s) in a classroom. Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks in advance!

[cKleinhuis]

hello and welcome to the forums,
in my point of view, a book which is over 30 years old now but a perfect read ist:
http://www.amazon.com/CHAOS-Making-Science-James-Gleick/dp/0749386061

[cKleinhuis]

there is much more to say about fractals than just how they are made
the underlying concept of chaos is what makes them so mind blowing, the images themselves are - in my point of view - just a way to transport much deeper insights

and for the mandelbrot i am working on a nice tutorial about it but it takes much longer than expected

[Chillheimer]

Hello & Welcome!
As free & easy program I can recommend Kalles Fraktaler:
http://www.fractalforums.com/announcements-and-news/kalles-fraktaler-2/

Enjoy your stay!