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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

#61

Post by florence123 »

marmaduke wrote: post #5
florence123 wrote: post #2

"It is also permitted for use on the SAT by the College Board starting with the August 2018 administration." That's ridiculous. Privatized standard testing seems like a bad deal for folks who can't afford these expensive calculators.

The point is that schools will only buy bunches of these things for teaching if they’re approved for use on the exams.

The point is that it seems flawed that these are approved for exams, not that this isn't a good business decision on the part of the company advertised here.

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

#62

Post by zokier »

NeedMoreTea wrote: post #59
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…

Casio have produced some. This old one: http://www.voidware.com/calcs/images/fx451m-1.jpg There's been others since with the same basic design. They all seem to fail at the fold because there is no hinge or much protection at the fold. There was a pocket computer from a slightly earlier era http://pocket.free.fr/html/casio/fx-5200p_e.html Trying to find an image of those I stumbled across the fx-9860G Slim that seems…

fx-9860G Slim matches exactly what I was imaging. Very cool. Shame that it apparently was somewhat short-lived in the market (explains why I've never heard of it). I'm half-tempted to fish one out from ebay.

There was also apparently fx-7500G in somewhat similar form-factor.

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

#63

Post by nicolashahn »

Virtually everyone that would own one of these already has a smartphone with more computational power, where an app can be made, or already exists, that does all of these functions or more.

Is the only reason for this to exist for use on a standardized test?

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

#64

Post by uneekname »

nicolashahn wrote: post #63

Virtually everyone that would own one of these already has a smartphone with more computational power, where an app can be made, or already exists, that does all of these functions or more. Is the only reason for this to exist for use on a standardized test?

Not only are standardized tests (and thus preparatory high school tests) stringent against cell phone use, but companies such as TI have had a monopoly on the market for a long time. It's great to see a competitor that uses a more modern underlying language, that costs as much or less than the TIs do. I really hope this calculator or something similar starts to catch on at secondary schools in the U.S.

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

#65

Post by uneekname »

redwheelbarrow wrote: post #50
mnoronha wrote: post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

While you're right about how long it takes to type a function on a calculator like this, this calculator is a huge step up from the TIs kids use on the SAT right now.

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

#66

Post by redwheelbarrow »

uneekname wrote: post #65
redwheelbarrow wrote: post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

While you're right about how long it takes to type a function on a calculator like this, this calculator is a huge step up from the TIs kids use on the SAT right now.

That's valid.

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

#67

Post by ivanfon »

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)`

It’s exactly the same situation with TI and Casio calculators (but with Basic instead of Python). For larger programs, it’s best to just download/write them on a computer and transfer them to the calculator.

Writing smaller programs (at least on a Casio calculator) isn’t actually that bad once you get used to the layout and menus.

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

#69

Post by 8fingerlouie »

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.

My trusty companion, when my HP 48G isn't with me, is my 1987 HP 42S. It has been on my desk for around 2 decades.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HP-42S

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

#70

Post by sipos »

PurpleRamen wrote: post #30
kfogel wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Source being on GitHub does not equal "is open source". Restrictions on commercial use are incompatible with open source. The Open Source Initiative, which coined the term and evaluates licenses for compatibility with the Open Source Definition (see https://opensource.org/definition ), is crystal clear on this point: if your license has a field-of-use restriction -- such as a restriction on commercial use -- then it'…

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.

Open source is a technical term (and I believe a trademark) with a specific meaning, defined by [The Open Source Initiative](https://opensource.org/). It does not merely mean that the source is available. As you hint at, being free software is a higher requirement, but this does not meet even the lower requirement of being open source.
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