I want to explain the concept of the HOME menu which I introduced.
1. When no other menus are needed, I want to make good use of the extra buttons that the DM42 hardware gives us. Otherwise these buttons are simply unmarked and unused.
The idea is to have this menu up, call another should it be needed, and press EXIT to return to this known state of HOME buttons.
2. When you bring up the HOME menu, you can currently scroll up and down to reach a total of 5 screens. This is not fixed. This is open for discussion.
3. When I scroll, I try to keep some points fixed, i.e. I duplicate some lines, and change only a few items or one line at a time.
This creates the illusion of "fixed buttons" on the calculator, which is good for muscle memory.
4. Screens:
- The first screen duplicates some of the [f] shifted math on the top line. This allows for unshifted access to yˆx, xˆ2, 10ˆx.
- Added some hidden but handy functions on the primaries.
- Brings in a row of the math menus conveniently next to one another, as well as an unshifted COMPLEX entry key.
- Keep the top two rows and change the primaries to the display modes.
- Keep the top two rows and change the primaries to some admin menus.
As it stands now, I captured the 5 screens below, and tried to indicate the rationale.
5. Also refer to post 1 in this thread, where I quote myself:
A HOME menu was added to the menu system, activated with either a triple shift or by pressing the [g] [HOME] button. The HOME soft menu provides easy direct access to:
- Extended math keys such as x!, parallel impedances, Euler’s e and also an unshifted pi for convenience on a primary key.
- Shortcuts to math menus on [f]: [EXP] [CPX] [FIN] [TRI] [DRG] [FN.X]
- Some direct access to settings such as DEG/RAD etc, and FIX, ENG, etc.
- Admin menus on [g]: MENUS] [INFO] [CAT] [MODE] etc.
6. Of course none of this is required to operate the machine. This is an additional dimension of operation. Optional to use.
7. A few blocks are still open for other functions and menus.
Jaco Mostert
Elec Eng, South Africa
https://47calc.com C47 (s/n 03818 & 06199), WP43 (0015). In box: HP42S, HP32Sii, WP34S&C, HP28C, HP35s, EL-506P, EL-W506, PB700; ex: FX702P, 11C, HP67 & HP85; iOS: 42s Byron,
Free42+, WP31S/34S, HCalc.