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Numworks: open-source, Python-compatible handheld graphing calculator

numworks.com

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Re: Numworks: open-source, Python-compatible handheld graphing calculator

#41

Post by ReverseCold »

zokier wrote: post #22

Personally I feel like clamshell design would make lots of sense for these more advanced calculators. At the same footprint you could have lot bigger screen, and more/bigger buttons. As an added bonus the screen would be more readable when sitting on a desk. I wouldn't think the marginally added thikness would impact much something thats being carried around in backbacks most of time anyways. For some reason practica…

Calculators with raised screens are discouraged by College Board for AP/SAT and by ACT. (You have to get seated in a location where no one else can see it, which is difficult if everyone does it.)

Re: Numworks: open-source, Python-compatible handheld graphing calculator

#42

Post by heinrichf »

antioedipus wrote: post #9

It's always amazed me how, in 2018, TI calculators with software and hardware from 10 years ago still cost $100+ dollars [0] and command a near monopoly in US secondary schools (which, I suppose, is why they still cost that much). For that price you can get a significantly more powerful and functional mobile phone [1] (see 24K of ram vs. 2GB, 96x64 screen vs. 720 x 1280)! The space needs competition, and I hope Numwo…

And a NPR Planet Money episode: https://www.npr.org/2018/03/22/595967382/why-the-graphing-ca...

Re: Numworks: open-source, Python-compatible handheld graphing calculator

#44

Post by jpfr »

antioedipus wrote: post #9

It's always amazed me how, in 2018, TI calculators with software and hardware from 10 years ago still cost $100+ dollars [0] and command a near monopoly in US secondary schools (which, I suppose, is why they still cost that much). For that price you can get a significantly more powerful and functional mobile phone [1] (see 24K of ram vs. 2GB, 96x64 screen vs. 720 x 1280)! The space needs competition, and I hope Numwo…

embedded.fm recently had a great episode with the guy who hacked TI calculator protections. Apparently they could brute-force the keys required to build custom ROMs.

https://www.embedded.fm/episodes/259

Re: Numworks: open-source, Python-compatible handheld graphing calculator

#45

Post by mnoronha »

evan950 wrote: post #40

While the calculator itself seems really cool, I'm really perplexed by this design. I see little point to advertising it as something that can input and execute python if it takes you at least 5 minutes to type `for i in range(10): print(i)`

I think this tradeoff was to keep it compatible with Collegeboard's (archaic) calculator policies, which forbid keyboards. [1] Being able to market the calculator as SAT-approved is probably super valuable since most students won't buy multiple calculators.

[1]: https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/takingtheexam/exam-polici...

Re: Numworks: open-source, Python-compatible handheld graphing calculator

#46

Post by mjs7231 »

evan950 wrote: post #40

While the calculator itself seems really cool, I'm really perplexed by this design. I see little point to advertising it as something that can input and execute python if it takes you at least 5 minutes to type `for i in range(10): print(i)`

I did this on the old TI-89 back in the day. It was fine for writing physics functions out. If you wanted anything more complex you presumable write the program on another computer and upload it to the calculator.

Re: Numworks: open-source, Python-compatible handheld graphing calculator

#47

Post by gh02t »

smartmic wrote: post #23

If you care about calculation/typing efficiency, you might also want to check out RPN (reverse polish notation). I am recommending the HP 35s. Once you are used to the notation, it is a real pleasure, not only for old-school advocates like me. Added bonus: you will gain respect for stack-based languages like Forth, Factor etc.

I also use clac on my desktop (https://github.com/soveran/clac). It's a line-oriented RPN calculator like Unix dc, but it shows the stack dynamically as you type. I have a long-term ambition to port it to a physical calculator - either my own design or one like the Numworks or a SwissMicro (a recreation of the HP-42s).

Re: Numworks: open-source, Python-compatible handheld graphing calculator

#48

Post by dbcurtis »

tyingq wrote: post #33
dbcurtis wrote: post #6

It should be pointed out that this is Micropython, not the Python that you are probably used to. Micropython is great stuff, I’m a huge fan, but it is different from CPython in noticeable ways. They seem to have simply copied a source snapshot over; I’m not sure what that means for incorporating updates and fixes to the Python system. Maybe they needed a fork for some reason. I do wish their documentation gave a litt…

The device does appear to be capable of receiving updates: https://workshop.numworks.com Concur on the credit thing though.

Yes, you can update the device. My comment was more about how Numworks can practically integrate Micropython updates. It seems like maybe it could be a Git submodule so that changes were easier to merge. Tracking Micropython bug fixes and enhancements is going to be very labor intensive unless I am missing something here.

(Admittedly, I didn’t spend a lot of time nosing around Numwork’s source repo. I have spent a lot of time nosing around the Micropython repo to do my own tweaked builds.)

Re: Numworks: open-source, Python-compatible handheld graphing calculator

#49

Post by MrBingley »

cpks wrote: post #37
PurpleRamen wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It may not be "Free Source", but if the source is open in the sense if being accessable, then for normal people it is open source. One organization using words in a specific way, doesn't negate all other legit interpretations of those words. It's an unsolvable problem they created there.

Nope. Open Source is a trademark precisely to avoid this sort of misuse. It's not a "what it means to whomever" sort of deal. That was done in part due to intentional (and damaging, if ultimately unsuccessful) efforts to undermine the meaning of terms like 'Free Software' by Microsoft back when the FSF was a fledgling movement and Microsoft was an evil empire. I don't mean to imply negative things about the company.…

That is incorrect. There is no trademark on "open source", and the OSI has no monopoly on what it is supposed to mean.

https://opensource.org/pressreleases/certified-open-source.p...

Re: Numworks: open-source, Python-compatible handheld graphing calculator

#50

Post by redwheelbarrow »

mnoronha wrote: post #45
evan950 wrote: post #40

While the calculator itself seems really cool, I'm really perplexed by this design. I see little point to advertising it as something that can input and execute python if it takes you at least 5 minutes to type `for i in range(10): print(i)`

I think this tradeoff was to keep it compatible with Collegeboard's (archaic) calculator policies, which forbid keyboards. [1] Being able to market the calculator as SAT-approved is probably super valuable since most students won't buy multiple calculators. [1]: https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/takingtheexam/exam-polici...

It'd be pretty tough to use it on the SAT if you take most of the allotted time trying to type out a function.
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