All, The Register is running an article that reads like the researchers have missed the point: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/06/28/super_calculators/ or at least they are using a very poor example, since the software looks interesting: http://www.cs.swan.ac.uk/calculators/
To quote from the article: "Researchers at the University of Swansea have come up with a new interface for pocket calculators that they say will make it even easier for people to solve difficult sums." I thought the design aim of calculators was to make it easy for people to solve the kind of problems that commonly occur (ie, easy problems)? The example given: "... 4 x -5 is, people tend to key in 4 x - 5, and so end up with the result -1." Several calculators I have tried work this way, but isn't that intentional? Somebody accidently hits the wrong key, then presses the correct one and gets the expected answer. 4 x (-5) delivers the expected result. derek -- Derek M Jones tel: +44 (0) 1252 520 667 Knowledge Software Ltd mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Applications Standards Conformance Testing http://www.knosof.co.uk ---------------------------------------------------------------------- PPIG Discuss List (discuss@ppig.org) Discuss admin: http://limitlessmail.net/mailman/listinfo/discuss Announce admin: http://limitlessmail.net/mailman/listinfo/announce PPIG Discuss archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/discuss%40ppig.org/
