Re: The 20b as a development platform Message #25 Posted by Bruce Bergman on 12 June 2008, 6:07 p.m., in response to message #23 by Paul Dale
You know, I'm kinda okay with the display provided. If it had no dot matrix areas, then yes, I would be bummed. But at least there is that one area, and the 7-segment LCD numbers are super easy and clear to read. For example, I doubt we will hear any complaints about the size of the decimal point or comma, or the shape of the theta symbol. This display is cut and dried clear.
It would have been nice to have the dot matrix area BELOW the 7-segment area (thus allowing for soft menu key labels, ala the 42s), but it is what it is. I think there are still ways to utilize the definable area and make it provide useful and helpful features.
Regarding the keys, is a keyboard overlay really the only VIABLE option? I wouldn't want to scrape keys any more than you would, but I would hate to cover up that beautiful shell with a cheezy overlay. It would, in some ways, detract from the point of re-doing the calc in the first place.
I'd be happy to leave everything as-is below the INPUT key, and leave those key labels as they are. I would want to re-label everything else from the INPUT up, though. Matter of fact, doing a gold shifted label above each key should be fairly doable, right? I mean, some sort of transfer labels? That would allow turning in the down arrow to a gold shift, and then we have another whole pile of space and functions.
Does anyone have any ideas for a programmer or ICE for this guy? Would the AT91SAM7L-EK work ($220)? Or stick with the AT91SAM-ICE ($100)? And what about a connector for the JTAG TAP on the calc? Anyone know where to get one, and/or what it will interface with? Software tools seem to be fine...
thanks,
bruce
Edited: 12 June 2008, 6:12 p.m.
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