Public Beta Availiable - Win/Mac/Apps

[Tim Wessman]

Hello,

For the first time, the HP Calculator group is able to have users participate in a public Beta test. Shortly, there will be several exciting additions to the Prime platform and we'd like interested users to test them out and provide feedback. Specifically, we are seeking those willing to help us test new networking capabilities in this beta release.

Should things go well, the HP Calculator group may be able to continue to do this in the future for firmware updates and similar. Should you also prove to be a very enthusiastic individual with quality issue reporting skills, you may also receive an invite to participate in the more closed betas that happen earlier in the development process.

Some additional information from the announcement thread may be of interest should you have missed that: http://www.hpmuseum.org/forum/thread-7293.html

While you can post in forums such as this at your discretion, we ask that the primary way of reporting be to send reports to calcbeta@hp.com. Basically, the goal is avoid disruption or annoyance to other forum participants. You can pop up a pre-populated email template by clicking the "Report Issue" menu item in the programs themselves.



The files for Windows/Mac systems are now available, and the apps should be appearing before long.

If you desire to test an iOS, Android, or Winstore version, please communicate to calcbeta@hp.com with your email ID and type of app store. We can add you in and hopefully you will receive a notice for the app when available.

Note that web browsers handle direct ftp links differently. If you have trouble, I'd recommend using FileZilla (https://filezilla-project.org/) or a similar FTP program instead of the direct browser.

Have fun!

Quote:-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
FTP Access : ftp://primebta:GetBeta1@ftp.usa.hp.com

Login: primebta
Password: GetBeta1 (NOTE: CASE-sensitive)
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Quote:HP Prime Public Beta – Release Notes
-------------------------

Beta Use

Please note that this is a beta version which is still undergoing development and testing before official release. The software and all content found within are provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis. HP Inc. does not give any warranties, whether express or implied, as to the suitability or usability of the software or any of its content.

PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT HP SUPPORT FOR ASSISTANCE. You will simply be asked to install the supported public release, or communicate with calcbeta@hp.com



Date Released: 2016/11/29

Internal Versions
-----------------
Virtual Calculator Version: 2016 11 29 (~11166)
Connectivity Kit: 2016 11 29 (~11166)

Description
-----------
This public beta is for testing the new version of the HP Prime Emulator, HP Prime Connectivity Kit, and associated apps. Please communicate problems to calcbeta@hp.com. Some forum discussion may be appropriate, but we ask you not to bombard everyone with the discussion as they may not wish to participate.

Note that you will most likely lose data during the HP Prime app installation on iOS/Android/Winstore devices. Unfortunately, the data on those earlier app versions was not compatible with other OS and application versions. All files created and produced on any version of HP Prime are now compatible to support sharing with any device.

While the primary focus of this Beta is networking, the new Virtual Calc, and Mac support, feel free to let us know of any other issues you encounter (especially if there has been a change from the last public release!!!). Please refrain from making large feature requests if they have been communicated previously.

If you desire to test an iOS, Android, or Winstore version, please communicate to calcbeta@hp.com with your email ID and type of app store. We can add you in and hopefully you will receive a notice for the app when available.

This document is not a complete list of all changes, but highlights specific items.

New Functionality (Virtual Calculator)
---------------------------------------
1. Working directory is now stored in <Documents>/HP Prime. On windows, old files located in %APPDATA%/HP_Prime will be moved over on first run.
2. International keyboards now fully supported. Please report problems with your specific keyboard layout if you find them.
a. Shortcuts like CTRL-C, CTRL-V won't leave the virtual calculator in "Shift" lock mode anymore.
3. "Connect To" menu has been removed. Any connected device will now receive communication instead of requiring unique selection first.
4. Updates now handled through HTTP only. Should be more reliable for those with network restrictions.
a. Documentation files for non-english will be downloaded on demand. This reduces overall file size on installation.
5. Able to communicate across an IP network to other systems on the same subnet.
6. App versions (iOS,Android,Winstore) - Synchronized with the "Prime Core". Updates and versions should no longer be out of sync moving forward.

New Functionality (Connectivity Kit)
---------------------------------------
1. Able to communicate across an IP network to other HP Prime apps on the same subnet.
a. To connect apps, either tap the top right corner screen of your simulated Prime and tap the "wireless" icon, or go to page 4 of your HOME SETTINGS. Pick the detected network name.
2. Updates now handled through HTTP only. Should be more reliable for those with network restrictions.
a. Documentation files for non-english will be downloaded on demand. This reduces overall file size on installation.

New Functionality (Prime Core)
---------------------------------------
1. A simulated off now runs when you do a shift-OFF in apps. (exclusively on shift-off and no other times)

Known Issues
---------------------------------------
On calculator "backups" currently broken.
You may get a notice about "unable to download emulator help file". The update.xml has a reference to a non-existing file.


Resolved issues and changes excluding CAS
-----------------------------------------
1. Resolved display issue when using split-stem in Stem and Leaf stat plot and consecutive empty stems fell.
2. Resolved issue where really old calculator firmwares (>2.5yrs) didn't do anything in connkit. Now they will be put into "update" mode in the windows version.
Resolved issues and changes in CAS
3. Resolved issue with √(1_(MN/m^2)*1_(MPa)) in home generating an error but not 1e6_Pa (or kg/ms²)
4. Resolved issue with , and . setting when returning a fully qualified name from the toolbox.
5. Resolved issue with nested lists in EQ command - EQ({1,2,3},{1,2,{1,1}}
6. Resolved issue with RETURN command in IF THEN sequence in a user program.
7. Resolved issue with SORT and numbers 0<n<1.



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Previous Versions
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[eried]

Great! kudos!

a. Shortcuts like CTRL-C, CTRL-V won't leave the virtual calculator in "Shift" lock mode anymore.

:O !! I always removed the shift mapping because that... so annoying

[Tim Wessman]

(11-29-2016 09:03 PM)eried Wrote:  Great! kudos!

a. Shortcuts like CTRL-C, CTRL-V won't leave the virtual calculator in "Shift" lock mode anymore.

:O !! I always removed the shift mapping because that... so annoying

Indeed! Problem was the MFC stuff underneath was just so inflexible.

Sorry, but I broke your skin editor. On the bright side, it just uses PNG w/transparency support, and is a plain xml output so readability and editing is much nicer.

[eried]

Haven't tried it yet (I get error 530 error, banned from FTP server, wait 1 hour, etc msg) but if it does support high dpi, then my editor is no longer needed.

[toml_12953]

Hooray! Now the CK sees both the physical and virtual calculators! The official version didn't see the virtual calculator on my system.

A big kudos to y'all!

Tom L

[smp]

So far, I have only been able to download the Connectivity Kit for Macintosh.

The CK opens fine on my Mac, and it detects my real physical Prime fine.

However, while it successfully finds my Content as previously stored on my Mac, the Content comes up somewhat garbled, and appears maybe to be in another language? I am hesitant to try and do anything with it for fear of corrupting my programs.

Has anyone else given the Macintosh version of the CK a try?

smp

[Han]

I have not run into your issues but mainly because I did not care to keep my old "Content." What if you moved the Content folder elsewhere, and then dragged the files into the Conn. Kit Content section? Does this fix the issue at all?

[Tim Wessman]

(11-30-2016 05:46 PM)smp Wrote:  However, while it successfully finds my Content as previously stored on my Mac, the Content comes up somewhat garbled, and appears maybe to be in another language? I am hesitant to try and do anything with it for fear of corrupting my programs.

Picture? (please send to the email) There is a known issue about the "font" using the system one instead of the calculator font. Is it just replacing things like the complex "i" with a box?

[smp]

I tried using FileZilla as suggested, and I now have both the HP Connectivity Kit and also the Prime virtual calculator.

The HPCK still works weird, garbling my previous content.

The virtual Prime calculator come up nicely, but the HPCK does not see it on my Macintosh. I've tried starting the HPCK first and then starting the virtual Prime first. Neither order shows the virtual Prime calculator in the HPCK.

I hope to hear from other Macintosh users. Are you having the same issues as I am?

Thanks!

smp

[smp]

I have a few screenshots of my situation.

First is a picture of my desktop with the HPCK running and the virtual Prime running. You can see the HPCK is connected to my real Prime, but not the virtual Prime.

I hope this helps.

smp

[smp]

Second is a picture of the HPCK with one of my programs from my Content selected and displayed. The program code is garbled.

smp

[smp]

Third is a picture of the HPCK with the same program selected from within my Prime calculator. This correctly shows the program code.

smp

[smp]

I apologize for the low quality of my screenshots. I had to fiddle around with them a lot in order to get them each under the 200K byte limit for the attachments.

I hope these can assist a bit to show what I am trying to report.

smp

[smp]

(11-30-2016 06:02 PM)Tim Wessman Wrote:  Picture? (please send to the email) There is a known issue about the "font" using the system one instead of the calculator font. Is it just replacing things like the complex "i" with a box?

Hi Tim,

I'm sorry for being dense, but what e-mail address should I send the screen shots to? I have not been able to find it. I hope the postings that I made might help show what I am trying to describe.

smp

[Tim Wessman]

(11-30-2016 06:43 PM)smp Wrote:  I'm sorry for being dense, but what e-mail address should I send the screen shots to?

calcbeta@hp.com

You can also get a popup in your email program by going to the "Report Issue" menu item in the menu bar. I've added some details in the original post to make things more evident.


I believe your "corrupted" program files aren't actually programs but archived text files in some format you collected/saved from somewhere. When they are being loaded you are only seeing every 2nd character or so. Please send me a few of those to the email address so I can look at them.

Also, how did you "make" those files? (which program saved with, text editor, etc)


As a last note, I use postimg.org to host pictures for posting in a forum. Free and simple to use. Even gives you the markup needed for the image to copy/paste.

[smp]

Hi Tim,

I figured that this would get complicated. 8-)

Up until now, I use Windows 7, running on Parallels, on my MacBook Pro. I start the HPCK, then I plug in my Prime. My Mac asks me where the new USB device should connect, and I select Windows. Then, my Prime shows up in the HPCK on Windows.

Then, I can go into the Content window of the HPCK, go into Shared Folders (Z: ) which connects me to my MacBook Pro file system, and then navigate the folders into my Documents Folder, and then into the HP Connectivity Kit Folder, and finally into the Contents Folder.

From there, I can select the program. I just did all the above, and my program comes up correctly displayed in HPCK on Windows, on Parallels, on my MacBook Pro.

I originally used the HPCK to develop the program. Usually, I type in most of it in Notepad on Windows, then I copy and paste into a new program template in the HPCK. During debugging, I usually make my corrections right in the HPCK. I can also copy out of the HPCK and paste back into Notepad. Again, I just did this operation to check it again, and it all works fine.

That very same content, when accessed by the HPCK on my MacBook Pro, comes up with the garbled view that I have shown.

So, my Content, when viewed from HPCK in Windows, on Parallels, on my MacBook Pro looks and works fine. But when the very same Content is viewed by the Macintosh version of the HPCK, it comes up as garbled.

I hope this helps.

smp

[Han]

Your screenshots seem to indicate a loss of every other character. So either it's a file format issue (e.g. UTF-8 vs UTF-16) or it's a filesystem issue with Parallels converting files on the fly for your between filesystems.

EDIT1: @smp -- Just for curiosity's sake, does Parallels enable you to update your firmware using Windows 7?

EDIT2: @smp -- What if you were to copy the code from the CK (in Windows 7) to a text file and save it (within Parallels)? Can you then open the same text file in OS X and does it appear fine? If so, then it is at least a way to preserve your work.

[Maro]

(11-30-2016 06:09 PM)smp Wrote:  The virtual Prime calculator come up nicely, but the HPCK does not see it on my Macintosh. I've tried starting the HPCK first and then starting the virtual Prime first. Neither order shows the virtual Prime calculator in the HPCK.

I hope to hear from other Macintosh users. Are you having the same issues as I am?

Thanks!

smp

I have the same problem with the Mac version: The virtual calc does not show up in the CK. No problem with the physical Prime via USB. Any idea?

[Han]

In the virtual calc, check to see if networking has been enabled in the preferences.

[Maro]

(12-01-2016 12:40 PM)Han Wrote:  In the virtual calc, check to see if networking has been enabled in the preferences.

Networking has been enabled in both virtual calc and CK, but still the same. CK doesn't show the virtual calc.