Geometry app three suggestions

[Angus]

hello Tim,

thanks for asking.
When the discussion came to the lack of well written documentation and about conceptional decisions it was said, that the prime is simply wanted to be different from, say, the 48 series. I think it was you who clarified that many things are a result of being targeted at students who want a device to play with without even looking into a manual, without written examples and so on. That is a design goal you can accept. Who don't even go into programming and thus won't face unconsitant typing issues and command behaviour. (Just to point out some aspects I hope my intention is clearer now)

And now there are coming up more and more usage hints, almost workarounds. You learn what command can be used in a program and which one doesn't work, what to be capitalize and so on. You gather such information but the deeper understanding of the device and why things behave as they do is an other matter.
HP still didn't come up with some sort of application note for usage beond the standard manual but such information seems to be vital for advanced usage. That is contrary to the initial concept of a painless to use calc - and thus should not be counted on the plus side when comparing two devices. It is just not self explanatory nor is it explained somewhere.
The official HP statements still say that -playing- with the device is a way to get a mathematical feeling. It is the whole justification for the explorer apps for example.
That is a polarizing approach maybe generated from scholastic theorists.

Did I understand you wrong when characterizing the prime? Simple and intuitive to use i.e. school centric with a cost- and time consciousness development process in mind?

I hope my thoughts got clearer and thank you for taking the time.