We have the HP42-like keyboard which gives us two things: Direct access to SIN, COS and TAN with shifted ASIN, ACOS and ATAN, as well as shifted functions >R and >P - a beautiful system. Love it. And it forces us to do double shifts, long presses and double clicks - no big problem, but:
I often find that we do not need TRIG functions every day, and find the ease of a single g key attractive - and by typing g[KEYS] FN4 FN3, I magically change the keyboard to have separate f and g keys, with a TRIG button which calls up Walter’s TRI menu.
As soon as I want normal operation again, I now press [USER] and my keyboard is back. For fast flipping BOTH WAYS, the U_SHFT pack also configures Σ+ to a unshifted USER key which is active in both keypads.
As you mention, I agree, it requires some imagination right now on the DM42 without any blue labels even.
It does need a bezel / key template for the blue keys and the colour bands. The question is whether the colour bands are enough to remind of the shift keys, whether it is effective or not.
We have a proper metallic template based on Inautilus's design coming soon. At least it was in planning before the worldwide lockdown ...
It is so. We do loose, but we loose temporarily, while in USER mode, as it is not permanent.
No, the extra printing is limited to the gold/yellow/white bars under the 4 buttons only (the 5th line, white, on the bezel is for future flexibility). Otherwise no additional printing required.
That is true. This point is very valid, and the main reason that I want critical replies on whether the permanent blue label re-arrangement is as perfect as the previous “perfect” layout. More comments welcome.
There will be faceplate(s). More on that later.
At the moment U_SHFT also adds the Σ+ change to USER. So that is another button that is different to its label.
Yes, changing of keys is confusing. Using the standard ASN/USER mode on the WP43S will also be confusing. I think it will be too much mental strain to have various packs to memorise. So, optional use of multi-function keys like this will always be a compromise. I do not expect people to use various packs. I suspect a single pack, this one for example, may be a popular choice, and the remaining keys will never be changed in USER mode.
This, is exactly what I want to discuss: What is the higher cost. Is there?
Assuming a user who does not need anything more than the vanilla 43C keyboard (which i.m.h.o. is great), would need to comment on especially whether the red lined mods in the image above come at a higher cost, and if so, what cost.
The ones I identified are:
- Con: that the x-root-y function moves to g[SIN]. But do remember g[SIN] previously had >R on it, i.e. a
- Pro: shifting the >R >P up, which as Dani also stated is an improvement.
- Pro: shifting the LBL function down to be next to RTN, which also is an improvement as it releases prime top line real estate for a function that really belongs in the P.FN menu.
- Pro: Shifting of the three type modifiers to be next to the fraction type modifier, which is also an improvement.