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The WP 34s - Where to get it and how to do it?!?
Message #1 Posted by George Bailey (Bedford Falls) on 14 July 2011, 1:40 a.m.

Given the popularity of the WP 34s project, wouldn't it be nice to have some kind of 'sticky thread' that always would remain visible or maybe a link on the main page, that gathers all the needed information to get started? Especially for newcomers who happen to stumble in or people like me who just don't follow every thread and are too dumb to find all the necessary information. ;)

- a download link for the software (sdk, firmware, desktop)

- where to get the cable or how to build one

- where to get the overlay

- How-to-tutorial

Or even better: one source who would be willing to pack everything needed in one package! Or sell a readily flashed and overlayed WP 34s...

      
Re: The WP 34s - Where to get it and how to do it?!?
Message #2 Posted by Paul Dale on 14 July 2011, 1:50 a.m.,
in response to message #1 by George Bailey (Bedford Falls)

You could try the WP 34S wiki.

The WP 34S is available at at least one store.

- Pauli

            
Re: The WP 34s - Where to get it and how to do it?!?
Message #3 Posted by George Bailey (Bedford Falls) on 14 July 2011, 3:11 a.m.,
in response to message #2 by Paul Dale

:( Maybe someday the wiki will be the place to go...right now however it leaves me as dumb as I was before. The how-to is somewhat empty... I thought of something that would take me by the hand and lead me step-by-step.

Still, a 'sticky' thread or a dedicated link on the museum's front page would be something!

                  
Re: The WP 34s - Where to get it and how to do it?!?
Message #4 Posted by Marcus von Cube, Germany on 14 July 2011, 3:13 a.m.,
in response to message #3 by George Bailey (Bedford Falls)

The problem with this approach (and the wiki as well) is that someone has to maintain it. It's just a matter of time devoted to the project by one of the volunteers.

                        
Re: The WP 34s - Where to get it and how to do it?!?
Message #5 Posted by George Bailey (Bedford Falls) on 14 July 2011, 3:30 a.m.,
in response to message #4 by Marcus von Cube, Germany

I will wait patiently :)

                              
Re: The WP 34s - Where to get it and how to do it?!?
Message #6 Posted by Marcus von Cube, Germany on 14 July 2011, 5:07 a.m.,
in response to message #5 by George Bailey (Bedford Falls)

Here is a start: Article.

      
Re: The WP 34s - Where to get it and how to do it?!?
Message #7 Posted by Bart (UK) on 14 July 2011, 5:06 a.m.,
in response to message #1 by George Bailey (Bedford Falls)

Yes, in the articles forum, article no. 1060.

I will try to maintain it. I am also in the process of invetigating the use of a USB-RS232 converter and Windows Vista & Seven.

Regards,
Bart

            
Re: The WP 34s - Where to get it and how to do it?!?
Message #8 Posted by George Bailey (Bedford Falls) on 14 July 2011, 5:59 a.m.,
in response to message #7 by Bart (UK)

Ha! Great! Everything needed is already there! Very neat!

This deserves its own little link on the front page!

(Just the Gene Wright-thingy doesn't work for me)

Does this work for the 30b as well? And which one is better for this project?

Edited: 14 July 2011, 6:04 a.m.

                  
Re: The WP 34s - Where to get it and how to do it?!?
Message #9 Posted by Bart (UK) on 14 July 2011, 7:29 a.m.,
in response to message #8 by George Bailey (Bedford Falls)

Hi,

I see what has happened to Gene's contact link and have updated it. You should be able to get a contact form for him now, but it will have a different "subject", just remember update the subject line.

-Bart

                  
Re: The WP 34s - Where to get it and how to do it?!?
Message #10 Posted by Jeff O. on 14 July 2011, 7:49 a.m.,
in response to message #8 by George Bailey (Bedford Falls)

Quote:
Does this work for the 30b as well? And which one is better for this project?

WP-34s works exactly the same on a 30b. The 30b has a much nicer keyboard (in my and most people's opinion, I guess there might be someone who prefers the 20b's squishy keys) and a better display. The only downside to the 30b is that the overlay does not look quite as nice as it does on a 20b, since the 30b keyboard is silver and the overlay is black.

            
Re: The WP 34s - Where to get it and how to do it?!?
Message #11 Posted by Lode on 14 July 2011, 9:53 a.m.,
in response to message #7 by Bart (UK)

Is there any way to do it in Linux?

                  
Re: The WP 34s - Where to get it and how to do it?!?
Message #12 Posted by Marcus von Cube, Germany on 14 July 2011, 1:21 p.m.,
in response to message #11 by Lode

Look here: SAM-BA Linux Initiative.

      
Re: The WP 34s - Where to get it and how to do it?!?
Message #13 Posted by Bruce Bergman on 14 July 2011, 11:36 a.m.,
in response to message #1 by George Bailey (Bedford Falls)

Hi George --

Yes, the wiki can only be as good as people who contribute to it. I do think it will gain momentum as time goes on. Right now, I'm trying to update at least one article per day to see if I can get some of that momentum going.

Anyhow, here's my take at the Getting Started page:

WP 34S Getting Started

Comments and suggestions welcome!

Thanks,

Bruce

            
Re: The WP 34s - Where to get it and how to do it?!?
Message #14 Posted by George Bailey (Bedford Falls) on 14 July 2011, 2:02 p.m.,
in response to message #13 by Bruce Bergman

Quote:
Anyhow, here's my take at the Getting Started page:

WP 34S Getting Started

This is exactly what I had in mind! Thanks a lot! Now it only lacks a nice link from the museum's front page... (this begins to remind me of Walter B's "43s ceterum censeo"...)

                  
Re: The WP 34s - Where to get it and how to do it?!?
Message #15 Posted by Bruce Bergman on 14 July 2011, 3:35 p.m.,
in response to message #14 by George Bailey (Bedford Falls)

Well, it's on the front page of the WP 34S section! ;-)

Please do let me know if you see anything missing, or if I can add anything helpful.

Thanks!

Bruce

                        
Re: The WP 34s - Where to get it and how to do it?!?
Message #16 Posted by George Bailey (Bedford Falls) on 14 July 2011, 4:09 p.m.,
in response to message #15 by Bruce Bergman

Quote:
Well, it's on the front page of the WP 34S section! ;-)

The museum has a WP 34s section??????

                              
Re: The WP 34s - Where to get it and how to do it?!?
Message #17 Posted by Walter B on 14 July 2011, 4:51 p.m.,
in response to message #16 by George Bailey (Bedford Falls)

George,

The museum is a museum is a museum. But it features a very vivid cafeteria, a.k.a. THE FORUM, with a lot of people dropping in frequently for getting their piece of blueberry cake and the latest news. IMHO, any request for a special table there must go to Dave in his role as museum director.

Walter

                              
Re: The WP 34s - Where to get it and how to do it?!?
Message #18 Posted by JustinM on 15 July 2011, 12:04 a.m.,
in response to message #16 by George Bailey (Bedford Falls)

Bruce meant that it's on the first page of the WP34s section in the HP calculator wiki (wiki4hp.com), not the museum.

Bruce, I like your guide. I was thinking about writing something similar after doing a fair amount of research to figure out where the cable and ARM software came from. A few additions/suggestions:

After I flashed my 30b, the first thing I wanted to do was adjust the contrast down. You do that by holding ON/CE (on a bare 30b) and using the '-' and '+' keys. The second thing I wanted to do was display the version (the Pauli, Walter) screen that you see in everyone's photos. On a bare 30b, you do RCL-blue shift-3-Input. You might add these instructions to section 6.

There appears to be a typo in section 5. The board should be "at91sam7l128-ek", not "at91sam71128-ek". Note that it's a lowercase "L" after the seven, not the number "one".

You might make a note that Eric's overlays are not yet available again, and update the wiki if/when he starts a new run. There is a paper-printable overlay provided in the WP34s zip file that can work in the meantime though.

Edited: 15 July 2011, 12:16 a.m.

                                    
Re: The WP 34s - Where to get it and how to do it?!?
Message #19 Posted by George Bailey (Bedford Falls) on 15 July 2011, 3:17 a.m.,
in response to message #18 by JustinM

Quote:
Bruce meant that it's on the first page of the WP34s section in the HP calculator wiki (wiki4hp.com), not the museum.

Well, yeah, that's - like - my whole point! ;)

Someone who already knows about WP 34s has no problem finding the wiki, using the search in this very forum to find every single thread about it. But wouldn't it be nice to have all those calc nerds who happen to stumble into the museum pointed to this great project? Why keeping it a secret to those 'in the know'?

[WP 34s] ENTER [More contributors] +

[Even better WP 34s]

                                          
Re: The WP 34s - Where to get it and how to do it?!?
Message #20 Posted by Walter B on 15 July 2011, 11:33 a.m.,
in response to message #19 by George Bailey (Bedford Falls)

George, did you contact Dave Hicks already? Please see my post above.

Walter

                                                
Re: The WP 34s - Where to get it and how to do it?!?
Message #21 Posted by George Bailey (Bedford Falls) on 15 July 2011, 12:12 p.m.,
in response to message #20 by Walter B

I opened this thread for everybody to read, even the curator, to get an impression what's wanted and what not.

I thereby got the impression the WP 34s-group is fairly happy with its rather secretive existence. ;)

                                                      
Re: The WP 34s - Where to get it and how to do it?!?
Message #22 Posted by Gerry Schultz on 15 July 2011, 1:40 p.m.,
in response to message #21 by George Bailey (Bedford Falls)

Perhaps they are a secretive bunch but I don't agree. With the project being such a fast moving target, newbies could become frustrated with features coming and going along with bugs biting them unexpectedly and documentation catching up. When the firmware stabilizes and this small group wrings out and fixes the majority of bugs, then it can be opened more to the public.

I'm thinking less about the 34s and more about carmageddon. I'm looking at the 405 outside my window wondering how well work will go this weekend. I've got staff here both Saturday and Sunday from 4 AM to 11 PM. I'm of the opinion it will be less of an issue than the media makes it but I could be wrong. How would you calculate the probabilities on this?

Gerry

                                                            
Re: The WP 34s - Where to get it and how to do it?!?
Message #23 Posted by gene wright on 15 July 2011, 2:21 p.m.,
in response to message #22 by Gerry Schultz

Just stay in your office all weekend or leave now and don't leave home until Tuesday!

                                                            
Re: The WP 34s - Where to get it and how to do it?!?
Message #24 Posted by George Bailey (Bedford Falls) on 15 July 2011, 3:23 p.m.,
in response to message #22 by Gerry Schultz

Quote:
When the firmware stabilizes and this small group wrings out and fixes the majority of bugs, then it can be opened more to the public.

That's a good point! I understand and agree!

                                                      
Re: The WP 34s - Where to get it and how to do it?!?
Message #25 Posted by Walter B on 15 July 2011, 5:55 p.m.,
in response to message #21 by George Bailey (Bedford Falls)

George,

Quote:
I thereby got the impression the WP 34s-group is fairly happy with its rather secretive existence. ;)
Slowly I get the impression needing either English or logic lessons again :-/ AFAIK you wanted a direct link from the MoHPC to the WP 34S. I suggested you contact the curator, cause AFAIK nobody else of us can install such a permanent link. How do you come from this to your verdict quoted above? :-? TIA for enlightenment.

Walter

                                                            
Re: The WP 34s - Where to get it and how to do it?!?
Message #26 Posted by George Bailey (Bedford Falls) on 16 July 2011, 1:37 a.m.,
in response to message #25 by Walter B

Walter,

I appreciate what you've done for the WP 34s project, but I don't have your sense of humor.

Yes, I found it neat to have a link installed, but thought it best to ask for like-mindedness amongst others before bothering the curator to get to work.

In the meantime I was convinced by others, that it's too early in the process (software stabilitywise) to frighten newbies off with a permanent link. Besides, it's a museum for antique calculators - the still sold 50G as well has no link of his own yet.

                                                                  
Re: The WP 34s - Where to get it and how to do it?!?
Message #27 Posted by Walter B on 16 July 2011, 2:40 a.m.,
in response to message #26 by George Bailey (Bedford Falls)

George,

Quote:
Besides, it's a museum for antique calculators - the still sold 50G as well has no link of his own yet.
That's coherent with my post above, isn't it?

Walter

                                                                        
Re: The WP 34s - Where to get it and how to do it?!?
Message #28 Posted by George Bailey (Bedford Falls) on 16 July 2011, 3:30 a.m.,
in response to message #27 by Walter B

Quote:
George, That's coherent with my post above, isn't it?

Walter

So?

What is your problem, Walter? I have no intention to pick a fight with you nor do I like the unpleasant undertone. I won't bother you any further.

                                                                              
Re: The WP 34s - Where to get it and how to do it?!?
Message #29 Posted by Walter B on 16 July 2011, 5:15 a.m.,
in response to message #28 by George Bailey (Bedford Falls)

Quote:
What is your problem, Walter? I have no intention to pick a fight with you nor do I like the unpleasant undertone. I won't bother you any further.
That's what people call "den Spieß umdrehen" here, George: first not understanding a friendly hint, then introducing an unpleasant undertone instead of plainly responding "I want to ask if it's wanted here before I ask Dave if it's possible" - you did this only after I insisted on getting an answer. But then you had to add a sentence stressing a well known fact as if it wasn't said in the very same thread before. And - when pointed to this - reacted like a "beleidigte Leberwurst" claiming the other one had a problem. Sorry, this looks pretty irrational IMHO.

I'm slowly getting tired of taking care for hypersensible takers. "Wer austeilt, muss auch einstecken können." For symmetry reasons, I leave a few translations for you.

Walter

Edited for correcting an error in a foreign language.

Edited: 16 July 2011, 5:16 a.m.

                                                                                    
Re: The WP 34s - Where to get it and how to do it?!?
Message #30 Posted by George Bailey (Bedford Falls) on 16 July 2011, 6:04 a.m.,
in response to message #29 by Walter B

What are you talking about?

You know what? Let's just forget about it, I'm not up to your word twisting ability! I'm out.

                                                      
Re: The WP 34s - Where to get it and how to do it?!?
Message #31 Posted by Bart (UK) on 18 July 2011, 10:22 a.m.,
in response to message #21 by George Bailey (Bedford Falls)

Quote:
I thereby got the impression the WP 34s-group is fairly happy with its rather secretive existence. ;)
Gene did put it to a wider audience on an official HP forum, HP community calculator forum, but there was not much response.

So one may ask, is the wider public ready for such a project? :-)
                                          
Re: The WP 34s - Where to get it and how to do it?!?
Message #32 Posted by JustinM on 15 July 2011, 2:46 p.m.,
in response to message #19 by George Bailey (Bedford Falls)

I didn't mean that there shouldn't be a link from the museum front page, you just appeared to be confused by Bruce's earlier statement.

I agree that there should be a more obvious introduction to the project. I came here looking for news or rumors of the HP 15c re-release. I kept seeing WP34s posts and initially ignored them. I think I saw some post titles that said "emulator" and assumed the project was another Nonpareil or an iPhone app, neither of which I have any particular use for.

Once I saw a picture of a 30b with the overlay applied, I was hooked. A real, physical calculator with the look of a classic HP got my attention. It took some research on my part to dig up the right threads and get up to speed on what it can do and how to make one. I got the sense that only forum regulars knew anything about the project.

            
Re: The WP 34s - Where to get it and how to do it?!?
Message #33 Posted by Bart (UK) on 15 July 2011, 7:09 a.m.,
in response to message #13 by Bruce Bergman

Nice, I have now linked the article to it.

-Bart

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