FreeLists / openbeos / [openbeos] Re: Calculator

[Waldemar Kornewald <wkornew@xxxxxxx>]

Jonas SundstrÃm wrote:
> Waldemar Kornewald <wkornew@xxxxxxx> wrote:
> ...
> > I don't know if you've ever used one, but I love my TI-92+.
> ...
> > http://www.gymnase-morges.ch/docs/SemaineSpeciale/ImagesSemSpec/ti92.gif
> (*Apologies to Waldemar up front, if necessary. I'm not sure.)
>
> I think this illustrates a fundamental problem with open source
> software (and with engineering in general?): the gap between the
> producers and the consumers. Math-gifted people who love their
> calculators make design decisions for the general population.

You're totally right. My mail makes absolutely no sense without a good
explanation and suggestion on how these features should work and what 
exactly I
find important.
Compared to a one-line expression screen an integrated paper-tape history
(basically, my first suggestion) takes up more space, looks more
complicated+overloaded, and it requires more work to implement.

So, a one-line expression screen should be sufficient. Add an "insert" button
next to the screen. When navigating the history the current expression will be
kept, so you can recall previous calculations and insert entries from the
history into the the current expression (i.e.: combine multiple calculations).
This could also replace the annoying "M" buttons (MC, MR, M-, M+).

A "delete from history" button could be useful, too (only visible when
navigating history).

I hope that the calculator will not have any menus. The different modes should
be actived using expand/collapse buttons on the calculator.

It would be nice if the history (and current expression) could be preserved
between restarts. But that's less important.

Bye,
Waldemar