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Gilles · 08-08-2023, 10:04 AM

My NewRPL HP50g ;D 39gs is fine too

mfleming · 08-08-2023, 10:51 AM

(08-08-2023 05:01 AM)Massimo Gnerucci Wrote: I prefer the upper (older) one, even to my old eyes.

I can comfortably read the current template, though I do like the look of the larger alpha characters on the new version. The larger font of the orange/blue labels on the new version causes the lettering to run together, which is not visually pleasing. Keep the old but bump the alphas!

spiff72 · 08-08-2023, 01:36 PM

(08-08-2023 10:51 AM)mfleming Wrote:
(08-08-2023 05:01 AM)Massimo Gnerucci Wrote: I prefer the upper (older) one, even to my old eyes.

Keep the old but bump the alphas!

That might be a possibility…

Now that the groundwork was laid to make my version easy to manipulate, just changing fonts and alignment is a lot easier.

Terje Vallestad · 08-08-2023, 04:49 PM

(08-08-2023 10:51 AM)mfleming Wrote: Keep the old but bump the alphas!

1 +

Sylvain Cote · 08-08-2023, 05:18 PM

I prefer the old version.
If you decide to go for the old version but with the bigger alphas,
I would suggest to align the bottom of the alphas with the bottom of the key hole like the old version does.

spiff72 · 08-09-2023, 04:43 AM

OK - message received...

Here is the new "Big Alpha" version. It follows the spirit of the original overlay graphics with my color tweaks and the bigger alpha characters. I also tried to better align the letters with the bottoms of the cutouts. It may not look like it in some areas of the photo, since there is bleed built in. You have to look for the cut lines to see the real edges of the cutouts (the black color overlaps).

The tabbed overlay is my original version, and the ones on the sheet are the new:

https://imgur.com/gallery/WIWbb1z

Terje Vallestad · 08-09-2023, 05:29 AM

(08-09-2023 04:43 AM)spiff72 Wrote: The tabbed overlay is my original version, and the ones on the sheet are the new:

https://imgur.com/gallery/WIWbb1z

Looks good to me although the alpha could now possibly be a tad smaller to associate the letter more with the key.
Also, I think you have a semicolon in the bottom row that should be a colon?

spiff72 · 08-09-2023, 11:44 AM

(08-09-2023 05:29 AM)Terje Vallestad Wrote:
(08-09-2023 04:43 AM)spiff72 Wrote: The tabbed overlay is my original version, and the ones on the sheet are the new:

https://imgur.com/gallery/WIWbb1z

Also, I think you have a semicolon in the bottom row that should be a colon?

Good catch! I didn't notice that...

spiff72 · (This post was last modified: 08-10-2023 05:44 AM by spiff72.)

I think I finally have a WP43 overlay sorted now. See images at the link below:
https://imgur.com/gallery/42Ny99f

The calculator photo in the link above represents the tabbed overlay kit. I installed that one because I am frequently switching between firmware on my DM42.

This one is a bit more complex because it has key labels (compared to the C47 which doesn't need them).

Depending on whether I decide to move forward with tabbed overlays (which still carry a risk of occasional "no fit" situations), there are several pieces needed:

Adhesive Overlay Kit:
- Background overlay using my older, less sticky adhesive vinyl
- Key labels and screen bezel using my newer better adhesive vinyl (because the keys and the screen bezel can use the extra adhesion)

Tabbed Overlay Kit:
- Background tabbed overlay using 45# photo paper with lamination front/back
- Key labels and screen bezel using the newer better adhesive vinyl (because the keys and the screen bezel can use the extra adhesion)

These are a bit more labor intensive than the other and require two separate print jobs for each kit, so I might have to price these a bit higher - maybe $7 instead of $5 (plus the usual shipping).

Is there any interest in these? I posted a preview on the SM forum recently and didn't see any responses...

mfleming · 08-10-2023, 11:23 AM

(08-10-2023 05:41 AM)spiff72 Wrote: The calculator photo in the link above represents the tabbed overlay kit. I installed that one because I am frequently switching between firmware on my DM42.

With multiple ongoing possibilities for alternative DM42 personalities, tabbed overlays (or easily removed substitute) seems preferable for now. I'm a bit confused by calculator genealogy; is the WP43 a port of the WP34S to the DM42 platform? If so, there are cheap nib HP30B calcs available on the US eBay site, single and in lots of 200 and 1000.

Massimo Gnerucci · 08-10-2023, 11:43 AM

(08-10-2023 11:23 AM)mfleming Wrote:
(08-10-2023 05:41 AM)spiff72 Wrote: The calculator photo in the link above represents the tabbed overlay kit. I installed that one because I am frequently switching between firmware on my DM42.

With multiple ongoing possibilities for alternative DM42 personalities, tabbed overlays (or easily removed substitute) seems preferable for now. I'm a bit confused by calculator genealogy; is the WP43 a port of the WP34S to the DM42 platform? If so, there are cheap nib HP30B calcs available on the US eBay site, single and in lots of 200 and 1000.

Nope: WP43 is a WP34S on steroids.

spiff72 · 08-10-2023, 11:57 AM

(08-10-2023 11:23 AM)mfleming Wrote:
(08-10-2023 05:41 AM)spiff72 Wrote: The calculator photo in the link above represents the tabbed overlay kit. I installed that one because I am frequently switching between firmware on my DM42.

With multiple ongoing possibilities for alternative DM42 personalities, tabbed overlays (or easily removed substitute) seems preferable for now. I'm a bit confused by calculator genealogy; is the WP43 a port of the WP34S to the DM42 platform? If so, there are cheap nib HP30B calcs available on the US eBay site, single and in lots of 200 and 1000.

I agree - the tabbed ones are handy (provided they fit your calculator - which isn't a guarantee due to slot height variability). I haven't applied an adhesive one to my DM42 since the early days of receiving it (when testing overlay fits). I have several that I rotate in periodically (C47, DB48X, and WP43).

The WP43 was also the starting point of the C47 (which I think was called C43 originally). It is a forked version of WP43 with some slight (and not so slight differences). The big ones are a single shift key, and no changes to the key labels. The WP43 moved the operator keys (+ - x /) to the left side, too. There are some other differences too - where the C47 includes a few toggles in menus for features that the WP43 doesn't have - namely the e.RPN option (which I like - the no DUP when pressing enter option).

spiff72 · 08-11-2023, 12:26 PM

I updated the first post of this thread with some significant updates on 8/10/23...

The main highlights are:

- Opening up orders for the tabbed overlays for DM42 alternate firmware options at standard pricing (with some tweaks).

- Added WP43 overlay (this one has slightly higher pricing of $7 due to extra labor and a required multi-job print/cut requirement)

- Added DB48X overlay (this one has slightly higher pricing of $7 due to extra labor and a required multi-job print/cut requirement)

- Announced running change to the C47 overlay design -- the "Big Alpha" update

Check the first post for full details!

spiff72 · 08-22-2023, 01:18 PM

Hello all...

I received a PM notification from a member last night but I am unable to reply to you because you have PM's disabled.

If it was you, please see the first post in this thread for instructions on how to contact me to place orders, because I cannot respond to your question!

spiff72 · 09-01-2023, 02:51 AM

I updated the first post of this thread to clarify that BOTH the "Original" and "Big Alpha" versions of the C47 overlay can still be ordered.

Thanks!

spiff72 · 09-01-2023, 04:01 PM

NOTE: I have also lost the ability to post in the swissmicros forum due to my IP being blacklisted. I am not sure what is going on, as I can't find any malware on my network. I have requested removal from said blacklist but I don't know if it will be successful.

If anyone active in the SM forum has any insights, I would appreciate them!

**rprosperi** · 09-01-2023, 04:20 PM

You aren't blacklisted from here, I assume you are referring to somewhere else, and that somehow prevents you from being here (though I can see this message, so still a bit unclear)?

ijabbott · 09-01-2023, 04:52 PM

(09-01-2023 04:20 PM)rprosperi Wrote: You aren't blacklisted from here, I assume you are referring to somewhere else, and that somehow prevents you from being here (though I can see this message, so still a bit unclear)?

He did say the swissmicros forum....

**rprosperi** · 09-01-2023, 05:02 PM

(09-01-2023 04:52 PM)ijabbott Wrote:
(09-01-2023 04:20 PM)rprosperi Wrote: You aren't blacklisted from here, I assume you are referring to somewhere else, and that somehow prevents you from being here (though I can see this message, so still a bit unclear)?

He did say the swissmicros forum....

Thanks. I often forget where I am... checking...

Steve Simpkin · 09-01-2023, 07:21 PM

(09-01-2023 04:01 PM)spiff72 Wrote: NOTE: I have also lost the ability to post in the swissmicros forum due to my IP being blacklisted. I am not sure what is going on, as I can't find any malware on my network. I have requested removal from said blacklist but I don't know if it will be successful.

If anyone active in the SM forum has any insights, I would appreciate them!

I have recently started having the same issue from my home ISP. spamhaus.org is reporting "Your IP address is either exhibiting suspect behavior, is misconfigured, or has a poor sending reputation."

I now have to use my phone over its 4G/5G network to post to the SwissMicros forum.