After
KeyQuick and
CursorDA, here’s the third step of my crusade against the stylus.
SnapCalc5V5.6, freeware
application.
What for ?
To get a mini-calculator that you can call over any application. SnapCalc works like a DA but is a plain, stand alone, application.
It’s just a simple calculator, you can use it for : multiplication, division, addition, subtraction, percentage.
You can copy the result of the calculation in the application underlying SnapCalc.
You can copy a number from an application to snapCalc.
Works well over SheetToGo.
Unzipping, you get :
- SnapCalc56.prc, you need it.
- SnapCalcDoc, good users guide, wrote in good English. There’s a copy at the end of this message.
- Install read me, I’ve wrote a copy in this message.
- AppliSlipRotate, no need, it’s for T3.
- StatusBarLib.prc, no need, it’s for T3.
- Whatsnew.txt, you can read if you had a previous version, no need if you didn’t know this soft.
- 3 gif, they are in this message.
For a clean install, please delete any prior versions of snapCalc before installing
the latest version.
Configuring SnapCalc :
Go to launcher, select SnapCalc -> you get a panel looking like this one : (just looking like)
- There’s a first line called : Enable snapCalc, mark it.
- Activate by : Cmd Bar, unmark it.
- Swipe, unmark it.
- Key, mark it. Click on the small triangle under “Key” -> you get a long pop-up. The useful things for UX users are : Palm HardKey 1 / 2 / 3.
· PalmHardKey 1 => you will have SnapCalc pop-up, pressing the NetFront hard key.
· PalmHardKey 2 => you will have SnapCalc pop-up, pressing the Mail hard key.
· PalmHardKey 3 => you will have SnapCalc pop-up, pressing the DateBook hard key.
- Hold, if you mark it, you have to hold (=long press) the chosen hard key to get SnapCalc. If you don’t mark it, you will get Snap Calc
instead of NetFront/Mail/Datebook. => you will have to create a new shortcut to launch them.
- Preserve clipboard, you can mark it.
- Pass tapping outside snapCalc, unmark it.
- 1+2x3. If you mark it, 1+2x3 = 1+(2x3) = 7. If you don’t mark it, 1+2x3 = (1+2)x3 = 9. It’s up to you to chose.
- Copy thousand separator, there is no difference for me ??
FOR CODEDRIVER USERS, the author said :
If you use CodeDriver to force an application to use the
full 320x480 area when it's not designed to do so, do not resize or rotate the screen
while snapCalc is up or you will crash snapCalc with an "Event Queue Full" error. As
CodeDriver is still in beta, I cannot find a workaround to this.
How to use it ?
Launch it the way you want. If you press again the hard key, the pop-up will be big or small.
You can “tap&drag” the small snapcalc by tapping in the upper white rectangle and dragging it where you want, except on graffiti zone.
When snapcalc is on screen, you can’t move the graffiti zone.
It’ a good idea to configure
“control tap” to go to “copy” or “Cpy”.
How to get rid of the stylus.
- to enter numbers, use the hard keys with numbers.
- To make a multiplication, press “x”.
- To make a division, press “/”, Fn+b.
- To make an addition, press “+”, Fn+v.
- To make a subtraction, press “-“, Fn+c.
- To use %, press %, Shift+5.
- To cancel the last number, press “c”.
- To get the result, press “=”, Fn+m.
- To copy the result to the underlying application, use “contro tap” to highlight Copy or Cpy, press enter, that’s it !
- You can highlight a number in an application (Ctrl+left/right arrows) and paste it in snapcalc using “control tap”.
- To exit SnapCalc (virtual button OK/Done), press hard button “back”.
********************************
SnapCalc User's Manual (December, 2003)
********************************
Copyright Ó 2001-2003 Ling Nero. All Rights Reserved.
SnapCalc is freeware.
THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED ''AS IS'' AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHOR BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, PECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
1. SnapCalc
1.1 What is snapCalc
1.2 SnapCalc Features
1.3 SnapCalc Limitations
2. Using snapCalc
2.1 Configuration
2.2 Activation
2.3 Operations
2.4 Copy and Append
2.5 Paste
3. Release Information
1. SnapCalc
1.1 What is snapCalc
SnapCalc comes in a Palm OS5 only version and a HackMaster version for pre-OS5 handhelds. The instructions in this document apply to both versions, and will hi-light any differences between the two versions. For clarity, snapCalc refers to both versions, snapCalc5 refers to the OS5 only version, and snapCalcHack refers to the HackMaster version.
SnapCalc allows you to pop up a basic calculator from within any PalmOS® application, do some calculations, and, if you choose, copy the result to the underlying application. SnapCalc also allows you to paste a value to the display and use it in your calculations. SnapCalc5 is a standalone program. SnapCalcHack requires HackMaster or other HackMaster-replacement programs to work (I use the freeware X-Master). It runs on PalmOS® 2.0 and up. SnapCalc does not require MATHLIB.PRC but it does not do trig functions.
1.2 SnapCalc Features
o Activate snapCalc from within any application
o Small (quarter-screen) and large window sizes
-- Quarter-screen window can be dragged around
-- Window sizes can be switched without losing your place in the calculation
o Copy or append displayed number to the underlying application
o Paste a value from a hi-lighted selection or the clipboard and use it in the calculation
o Basic operations of +, -, x, and ¸
o Operational precedence (configurable)
o Memory plus, memory clear, and memory recall
o Memory indicator and operator indicator
o % and sign keys
o Backspace key
1.3 SnapCalc Limitations
o Maximum input and display of eight digits (very big and small values will be displayed in exponential form)
o Cannot input in exponential form
o Cannot truncate or round to particular decimal precision
2. Using snapCalc
IMPORTANT: SnapCalcHack requires HackMaster or a HackMaster-like program (I use X-Master) to work.
You can install and delete snapCalc in the same way as stand-alone PalmOS® applications. After installation, enable snapCalc5 in the snapCalc configuration screen. Enable snapCalcHack from within HackMaster or X-Master.
2.1 Configuration
Configure snapCalc5 by running the application. Configure snapCalcHack through HackMaster. The configurable features are:
· SnapCalc5 only: Enable snapCalc: Check to enable snapCalc5. Uncheck to disable snapCalc5. When checked, snapCalc5 will be automatically re-enabled after a soft reset.
· Activation method:
Cmd Bar - Activate by '/' Calc (snapCalcHack only: graffiti command stroke, then 'Calc' silkscreen button). In this mode, if your handheld displays the command tool bar when you do the graffiti command stroke, you will see a calculator button to activate snapCalc. NOTE: On pre OS3.5 units, if you configure snapCalc to activate by '/' Calc, you will not see the "Command:" popup when you stroke '/' Calc again while snapCalc is up. The stroke will still work, however, and snapCalc will switch to the other screen size. SnapCalc5 only: Command stroke activation is only via the command bar button. Doing '/' Calc will NOT work in snapCalc5.
Swipe - Activate by swiping on the graffiti area from one silkscreen button to another. You can change the swipe by selecting different 'From' and 'To' positions. Setting 'From' and 'To' to the same position is the same as tapping that silkscreen button.
Key - Activate by pressing or holding down a hard key.
· Preserve clipboard: By default, this option is enabled. SnapCalc will try to save the clipboard upon entry and exit. If you use a clipboard extension program, don't care if the clipboard gets changed, or are having problems entering and exiting snapCalc, disable this option.
· Pass tapping outside snapCalc: By default, this option is enabled. When you tap outside the snapCalc window, snapCalc exits and passes the tap to the underlying application to be acted upon. If you're having problems with this "pass the tap" behavior, disable this option. With the option disabled, snapCalc will continue to exit when you tap outside its window, but will no longer pass the tap.
· 1+2x3=7: By default, this option is disabled. SnapCalc performs calculations as you enter the equation and allows you to change the pending operator (e.g. from + to x). If you want snapCalc to observe operational precedence -- multiplication/division before addition/subtraction -- enable this option. When this option is enabled, snapCalc will not allow you to change the pending operator.
· Copy thousand separator: Starting with ver 1.4, snapCalc displays numbers with the thousand separator. To keep the same result as previous versions, snapCalc strips away the thousand separators when doing a 'Copy to App.' If you wish snapCalc to copy the thousand separator when doing 'Copy' or 'Append,' enable this option.
2.2 Activation
By default, stroke from Find to Calc on the silk screen area to activate snapCalc. See the Configuration section above to change the activation method. Stroking again when snapCalc is already up will toggle snapCalc's window size. You can switch the window size at any time without losing your place in the input or calculation. For example, you can enter 12+, switch the window size, then continue with entering 3.5, switch it back to the other window size, tap =, and you'll get 15.5 as the result.
Tapping outside snapCalc while it is up will cancel snapCalc and pass the tap to the underlying application.
To move the quarter-screen snapCalc, place stylus on the number display and drag the window outline to the desired location.
2.3 Operations
Perform calculation as you would on any other calculator. You can enter using the buttons or Graffiti strokes. The supported Graffiti strokes are:
o digits '0' - '9', and '%'
o backspace
o '+' for plus, '-' for minus, '*' and 'x' for multiply, '/' for divide, '=' for equal
o 'c' for clear
o '.' or ',' for decimal character, depending on your system preference
Tap the "Paste" button if you have a value in the clipboard you want to use in your calculations. When you're done and you do not want to copy the value to the underlying application, tap the "Done" button ("OK" in small screen). If you want to copy the displayed value to the underlying application, tap the "Copy" button. If you want to insert the displayed value after the hilighted selection in the underlying application, tap the "Append" button.
SnapCalc will remember both the memory register and the display register when you exit. Unlike switching window sizes, however, exiting snapCalc will not retain any unfinished calculations. For example, if you quit snapCalc after tapping the '+' button, snapCalc will not put you back to the state of awaiting an operand for an add operation.
While the display is limited to 8 digits, plus a 2-digit exponent, the values are calculated in double precision. For example, 1.3333333 + 1000 = 1001.3333 (displayed). A subsequent subtraction of 1000 gives you back 1.3333333. The memory register is also stored in double precision.
When you tap an operator key (+, -, x, ¸), it will be shown on the left side of the number display to signal the pending operation (except on the quarter-screen snapCalc). When the memory register is not empty, a small "m" will be shown on the left side of the number display.
2.4 Copy and Append
Tap the "Copy" or "Append" button when you want to pass the displayed value to the underlying application. SnapCalc will pass each character as if you entered them via Graffiti, and the underlying application will react as if you entered the value manually. If you have a text field selected, "Copy" will enter the displayed value at the current cursor location or replacing any hi-lighted text. "Append" will insert the displayed value after any hi-lighted text, or at the current cursor location if there's no hi-lighted text. If you have no field selected, the result will be dependent on how the underlying application would react to your manually entering the displayed value via Graffiti. For example, in DateBook, with nothing selected, if you start writing Graffiti, a new appointment is created. Similarly, if you're inside DateBook, call up snapCalc with nothing selected, and "Copy" the displayed value, DateBook will create a new appointment with the displayed value as input. "Copy" and "Append" will not overwrite the clipboard.
2.5 Paste
Tap the "Paste" button when you want to use a value you've hi-lighted or previously saved to the clipboard in your calculations. If you hi-light some text in a field before activating snapCalc, snapCalc will transfer the selection to the clipboard. Upon exit, snapCalc will restore the clipboard to any previous content, unless you've configured snapCalc not to do so. When you tap "Paste," snapCalc converts the content of the clipboard to a numeric value, then inserts it in the number display.
In ver 1.2 and before, snapCalc is fairly stupid about the content of the clipboard and assumes a single, well-formed number. In ver 1.3, snapCalc will accept the clipboard (or hi-lighted) content as if you entered them via graffiti/tapping. In this way, you can copy to the clipboard (or hi-light) a string "1+2x3=", place the cursor after "=", invoke snapCalc, tap "Paste" to have snapCalc do the calculation automatically, and tap "Copy" to transfer the result back to your app.
***FOR CODEDRIVER USERS***: If you use CodeDriver to force an application to use the
full 320x480 area when it's not designed to do so, do not resize or rotate the screen
while snapCalc is up or you will crash snapCalc with an "Event Queue Full" error. As
CodeDriver is still in beta, I cannot find a workaround to this.
Oh yeah stylus free is the way to be 
Linear Mode
