Request for feature: alternate font

Discussion around the SwissMicros DM41X calculator
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akaTB
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Re: Request for feature: alternate font

Post by akaTB »

vgoudreault wrote:
Sat Jun 05, 2021 8:46 pm
I already have a DM41, and the display on that one does not try to emulate the 14 segments of the original HP41.
Neither orientation nor keyboard layout.
A 41 in voyager shape: an abomination.
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    Massimo
ajcaton
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akaTB
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Re: Request for feature: alternate font

Post by akaTB »

Ángel Martin wrote:
Mon Jan 25, 2021 9:17 am
akaTB wrote:
Fri Jan 22, 2021 8:12 pm
The only option I'd consider is a reverse video option, grey on black background. :ugeek:
No fonts from 42, printer or other: this is a 41!
+1

i asked for his during the development but apparently there are difficulties to make it happen, a shame...
However now, if you have a Prime...
image.png
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Last edited by akaTB on Tue Jun 08, 2021 10:47 am, edited 1 time in total.
Greetings,
    Massimo
ajcaton
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Peet
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Re: Request for feature: alternate font

Post by Peet »

vgoudreault wrote:
Sat Jun 05, 2021 8:46 pm
But the segment display is NOT used on the DM41X; it is an emulation that relies on dots, it relies on the same 400 x 240 pixels screen as used on the DM42.
The Processor is not a NUT but an ARM and I think it's good that it runs an emulation for the HP41 and not for a Gameboy on this device. The segment-font looks good and keeps his advantages on the DM-diplay.
vgoudreault wrote:
Sat Jun 05, 2021 8:46 pm
The emulated HP41 font only 'advantage' is an air of nostalgia, ...
You just don't see the others. Pixel-fonts didn't aged well but the emulated segment-font is nearly as brillant as the original and looks excellent even in 2021 (which I can't say about the outdated font-quality of the DM42, even if it is significantly better than the original). And nostalgia (especially keeping the charm of the original) shout not be underestimated on this kind of hardware.
vgoudreault wrote:
Sat Jun 05, 2021 8:46 pm
I already have a DM41, and the display on that one does not try to emulate the 14 segments of the original HP41.
There is absolute nothing on the DM41(L) I like or even could accapt as a HP41replacement. For me personally, it offers nothing of what the HP41 was all about. I don't like the weird keyboard layout and the font looks really, really bad (looks more like a 32S). They also completely destroy every trace of a nostalgic factor.
Last edited by Peet on Tue Jun 08, 2021 7:51 am, edited 1 time in total.
My programmable calculators - former: CBM PR100, HP41CV, HP28S, HP11C - current: HP48G(256kB), HP35S, Prime, DM41X, DM42
toml_12953
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Re: Request for feature: alternate font

Post by toml_12953 »

vgoudreault wrote:
Sat Jun 05, 2021 8:46 pm
The emulated HP41 font only 'advantage' is an air of nostalgia, and that is done at the expense of enhanced readability and usability; skeuomorphism plain and simple.
You say that as if it's a bad thing.
Tom L

Some people call me inept but I'm as ept as anybody!
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Peet
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Re: Request for feature: alternate font

Post by Peet »

toml_12953 wrote:
Sat Jun 05, 2021 11:33 pm
You say that as if it's a bad thing.
First off all it is indecisive.

1) vgoudreault: "...that is done at the expense of enhanced readability and usability"

The opposite is the case. I can't find not one example of any font on this display which is better readable, sharper or cleaner. I can read it even without reading glasses (wich is not possible with any other font on DM-devices).

2) vgoudreault: "skeuomorphism plain and simple"

plain an simple is correct, but plain an simple is quite the opposite of skeuomorphism.
My programmable calculators - former: CBM PR100, HP41CV, HP28S, HP11C - current: HP48G(256kB), HP35S, Prime, DM41X, DM42
vgoudreault
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Re: Request for feature: alternate font

Post by vgoudreault »

But that is not relevant. The DM42 offers SIX different font sizes; the largest of which compares with the size of the pseudo HP41 font of the DM41X; and since it uses smoother characters maps, one does not have to rely on a contrived mapping to distinguish between the letter S and the digit 5; in any way, that would make a DM42 font more legible than that of the DM41X. And there is absolutely nothing that says one of the font available on a revamped DM41X could not include the pseudo HP41 style.
And since it IS a pixel font anyway, anything you may have against those stands in the case of the DM41X.

The original thread was entitled "alternate font", there was no mention of the need to remove or replace the existing one. How could the addition of something take away anything? The font mapping has to already be there since it is used for the upper half of the DM41X display

On my DM42, I use the middle size font. And I wear my reading glasses all the time anyway.
Peet
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Re: Request for feature: alternate font

Post by Peet »

vgoudreault wrote:
Sun Jun 06, 2021 7:27 am
The original thread was entitled "alternate font", there was no mention of the need to remove or replace the existing one.
Yes, and I supported this idea when the thread was started. What I don't like are comments which speak against the original font without or with wrong arguments instead of suggesting an alternative and explaining their benefits.
vgoudreault wrote:
Sun Jun 06, 2021 7:27 am
How could the addition of something take away anything?
Thera are many ways. If it is out of place it can destroy the charm or the overall look. But that's a completely other topic.
My programmable calculators - former: CBM PR100, HP41CV, HP28S, HP11C - current: HP48G(256kB), HP35S, Prime, DM41X, DM42
amafan
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Re: Request for feature: alternate font

Post by amafan »

Gentlemen,

I suggest this acrimony over a font is overblown. I see no reason that a well done new and alternative font wouldn’t be a welcome addition to the DM41x feature set. I like the current font well enough but sometimes it’s nice to be able to change things up.

Always the question for SM is what font would you add and how much would it cost to add it. Putting a lot of Developmant and possible licensing royalties into a font addition doesn't make any sense if it just a “nice to have” feature addition. If it doesn’t sell a ton of calculators then there’s no ROI for the developer.

Anyway, I think I’ve said enough on this. I’m looking forward to the next addition to the SM product family.
DM42 (#6476), DM41X (#458), DM15, 12 - HP 12, 17BII, 35(2), 45, HP 27S, 28S, 30B, 41CV, 41CX, 42S, 48S, 35S, HP10bII+, 12C PLAT
I may have a problem!
vgoudreault
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Re: Request for feature: alternate font

Post by vgoudreault »

Peet wrote:
Sun Jun 06, 2021 8:45 am
What I don't like are comments which speak against the original font without or with wrong arguments instead of suggesting an alternative and explaining their benefits.

Kindly indicate where someone did that.


CBVG
Peet
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Re: Request for feature: alternate font

Post by Peet »

vgoudreault wrote:
Sun Jun 06, 2021 8:08 pm
Kindly indicate where someone did that.
just read the thread.
My programmable calculators - former: CBM PR100, HP41CV, HP28S, HP11C - current: HP48G(256kB), HP35S, Prime, DM41X, DM42
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