[Trac #1251] Include improved calculator

Zarro Boogs per Child bugtracker at laptop.org
Thu Apr 5 20:26:44 EDT 2007


#1251: Include improved calculator
---------------------------+------------------------------------------------
 Reporter:  rwh            |        Owner:  J5     
     Type:  enhancement    |       Status:  new    
 Priority:  normal         |    Milestone:  Trial-2
Component:  new component  |   Resolution:         
 Keywords:                 |  
---------------------------+------------------------------------------------
Comment (by cjb):

 > cjb, please take the updated calcuadora bundle for a quick test drive; I
 suspect this new calculator is superior, but the Tuquito folks have fixed
 bugs since the last stable build.

 They're actually both very good now; either is acceptable.

 In Calculadora's favor:
  * Calculadora uses ce/ac, which are probably understood internationally
 much better than Calc's "Mode" and "Clear".  Activities should avoid
 English words where possible.
  * Calc only has one "clear" button, which behaves as a full "AC" clear
 rather than a current "CE" clear, which is going to upset kids who make
 mouse mistakes.  Backspace works to delete characters, but you'd have to
 teach the kids that.

 In Calc's favor:
  * has very complete scientific/financial modes, hidden from the user
 until the "Mode" button is clicked
  * now uses color, is attractive
  * return always binds to "equals", which is good.  In Calculadora it
 binds to whatever the last button you clicked was, which I think is a bug
 -- if I click "ac", then do a sum on the keyboard and hit return, the
 answer is briefly shown before my press of the return key activates the
 "ac" again and the result returns to 0.


 Given Calculadora's lack of scientific functions (there isn't even a
 sqrt(), or parens for indicating precedence) I'd go with Calc.  If we have
 time, the most urgent patches I would take to Calc are adding a "CE"-style
 clear, and replacing "Mode" with an icon and using "CE" and "AC" as labels
 (if not icons for them too).  * and / should also be replaced with × and
 ÷, as ywwg said.

 Hope that all makes sense.

-- 
Ticket URL: <http://dev.laptop.org/ticket/1251#comment:11>
One Laptop Per Child <http://laptop.org/>



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