Slashdot Mirror

That's where I got my start into programming. I felt like writing games for my TI-89, and after realizing TI BASIC sucks, went hunting and found a C compiler (http://www.tigcc.ticalc.org/) and learned C. From there I moved on to programming computers, and have since learned Fortran, C++, Java, Ruby and become a decently well-rounded programmer. So while kids may start out programming calculators, it's an easy transition to computers in general (at least I found that).

"Programming" is creating code that, when compiled, produces a binary that needs nothing more than an operating system or JIT compiler to run.

"Scripting" is making funky text documents that need another program to do something. PHP, HTML, and Perl are technically scripting.

For calculators, learn TI-BASIC first, then jump here to learn assembly (assuming you're using a TI-83+/84). It's easier than you'd think, you can write real games with it, and you learn a lot of low level stuff like pointers that makes future programming concepts *much* easier.

For programming, I'd learn Visual Basic .NET. It's simple, .NET lets you make real applications, and introduces some vaguely object-oriented stuff. If you're feeling confident, learn just enough C/C++ syntax and parts of the Standard Template Library to jump into the Win32 API and MFC. There's a bunch of free compilers out there, like Bloodshed, and Microsoft offers trial versions of their Visual Studio compilers, which are actually worth checking out.

For web development, PHP is, in my humble opinion, much better than Perl. However, it's kinda neutered if you don't also learn some MySQL.

Java is an insanely difficult language, especially for those first beginning programming. They take object-oriented programming to a freakish extreme, to the point of avoiding all native data types. Just adding two numbers together and displaying the result is a horrible combination of objects, casting, parsing, and window manipulation. If your school offers C/C++, take it over Java in a heartbeat - it's a more popular language, used more in professional development (especially games), and can teach object-oriented programming *much* better than Java.

You might be right about the sheep to geek ratio. Actually, you are. But I think you are wrong about your BS call (I'm calling BS to your BS, as it were). I'm 25. I am a geek. I messed around with QBASIC, poking at source of existing programs and trying to modify them without any guidance, a little when I was really young (12?), and that was more than I was willing to tackle at that time (I wasn't much of a geek then and didn't figure there were books on the subject). If it weren't for HTML and JavaScript being easy, having a readily available development platform, and having simple documentation (e.g. the web) readily available when I was 17, and my TI-82 being easy to create "programs" for, I'm not sure where I'd be (I am a web designer / developer by profession now). Not all of us start as uber-geeks that understand Visual Basic or C, eating pizza and Jolt from birth. Some of us need to be weaned in and something simple is exactly what we want. Further, some of us don't have geek parents there to guide us (my dad bragged for years he didn't know where the power button was on our Gateway 2000 P2 266) or geek mentors or know of geek books. It's probably easier for fledgling geeks now-a-days because of the Internet, but I disagree that any prominant IDE is simple to jump into for any newbie who has no mentor to help them on their way because even now I find them irritating to work with and learn (esp. Visual Basic).

My TI-89 calculator is pretty much my portable game system, and 90% of the time I'm playing
CalcRogue.

Right.

Besides, I'm not sure if any president is going to concern himself/herself with Doors, let alone opening it.

Why doesn't Slashdot ever get slashdotted?

Because ticalc.org isn't big enough.

Yet.

TI only just switched to 68K and they threw away 10 years of product development...

The TI-92 uses a 68K processor and has been around at least 8.5 years. (See this site for programs written in early 1997.)

Also, the TI-84 Plus Silver Edition couldn't have been released more than a couple of years ago and it uses the z80 processor. Another recenty released calculator was the TI-89 Titanium, which uses the 68K processor.

I don't see any type of switch taking place. Just how did you come up with the "facts" in your post?

It was a joke, you fucking nerd. Besides, it is possible to play sound with these calculators:

http://www.ticalc.org/pub/83plus/asm/media/sound/

I don't know about Palms, but you can get VTI Pocket for a PocketPC. VTI is a calculator emulator; VTI Pocket is (logically enough) the PocketPC version of it.

Actually the TI-89 has a 12Mhz processor.

Not that it makes any difference in your post anyway, but just thought I would point that out... Specs here

Anyone think it's odd for an "ignoramus" to have written the 30th most downloaded file on ticalc.org?

Because of the small monochrome screen there's a ton of ported/rewritten old games available. Some examples:
* Alien Breed - http://www.ticalc.org/archives/files/fileinfo/204/ 20452.html
* Tetris Attack - http://www.ticalc.org/archives/files/fileinfo/94/9 428.html
* Lotus Turbo Challenge - http://www.ticalc.org/archives/files/fileinfo/96/9 682.html
* Bubble Bobble - http://www.ticalc.org/archives/files/fileinfo/235/ 23536.html

Some of these are *really* impressive. It's amazing what you can do even with very limited technology if you code in assembly and optimize code :)

Because of the small monochrome screen there's a ton of ported/rewritten old games available. Some examples:
* Alien Breed - http://www.ticalc.org/archives/files/fileinfo/204/ 20452.html
* Tetris Attack - http://www.ticalc.org/archives/files/fileinfo/94/9 428.html
* Lotus Turbo Challenge - http://www.ticalc.org/archives/files/fileinfo/96/9 682.html
* Bubble Bobble - http://www.ticalc.org/archives/files/fileinfo/235/ 23536.html

Some of these are *really* impressive. It's amazing what you can do even with very limited technology if you code in assembly and optimize code :)

Because of the small monochrome screen there's a ton of ported/rewritten old games available. Some examples:
* Alien Breed - http://www.ticalc.org/archives/files/fileinfo/204/ 20452.html
* Tetris Attack - http://www.ticalc.org/archives/files/fileinfo/94/9 428.html
* Lotus Turbo Challenge - http://www.ticalc.org/archives/files/fileinfo/96/9 682.html
* Bubble Bobble - http://www.ticalc.org/archives/files/fileinfo/235/ 23536.html

Some of these are *really* impressive. It's amazing what you can do even with very limited technology if you code in assembly and optimize code :)

Because of the small monochrome screen there's a ton of ported/rewritten old games available. Some examples:
* Alien Breed - http://www.ticalc.org/archives/files/fileinfo/204/ 20452.html
* Tetris Attack - http://www.ticalc.org/archives/files/fileinfo/94/9 428.html
* Lotus Turbo Challenge - http://www.ticalc.org/archives/files/fileinfo/96/9 682.html
* Bubble Bobble - http://www.ticalc.org/archives/files/fileinfo/235/ 23536.html

Some of these are *really* impressive. It's amazing what you can do even with very limited technology if you code in assembly and optimize code :)

I wrote a program years ago that would convert videos to a TI calculator assembly program. That didn't end up on Slashdot, but if you want to check it out (with screenshots):

http://www.ticalc.org/archives/files/fileinfo/150/ 15079.html

Remove the space from the URL I guess.

Of course, USB is nice and all, but the video-on-calc thing has been done before. By me :)

...TI calcs have been able to play movies for a long time now. TItanium MultiMedia (TIMM) encodes a movie file to a native format for playback on TI calcs. Of course, this new project is much more impressive if it is decoding standard .avi / .mpg files on the fly.

well, don't really know where to buy them in Sweden. And my homebuilt one cost me like 3. There's a bunch of schedules here.

What?
No A shell ??

My 80486DX4 is only VGA (640x480), you insensitive clod!

My TI-83 is only 96x64, you insensitive clod!

I do like the fit-in-your-hand capability of both the '83 and the projector, though. If they could do 1920x1080 (and at least 60Hz progressive--my Dell e770s can do so without blowing up) I'd be really happy.

I think for someone with no prior programming experience in high school, TI-Basic is a great way to get started. It's a very simple and easy to use language. It's also convenient since you can work on your TI wherever you go.

After you start to understand basic concepts in TI-Basic you may want to learn a better language. I recommend C++ since most professional games are written in it.

Here are a few ideas of simple programs you can make in TI-Basic: blackjack, poker, pong, space invaders, tetris, or invent your own idea. Also you might want to check out http://ticalc.org/

... terrible for games.

I actually overclocked my TI-85 in my senior year of highschool... that would have been '96. I put in a 3 position switch with different capacitors so I could run it at 1x, around 2x, and full-out (from a benchmarking app I wrote it appeared to be around 3.1x) speeds. I did this because things like tetris and Snake were unplayable at anything above 2x and some things behaved strangely at the unclocked setting.

Sure does bring back memories. You could do so much cool stuff with zshell. :)

... terrible for games.

I actually overclocked my TI-85 in my senior year of highschool... that would have been '96. I put in a 3 position switch with different capacitors so I could run it at 1x, around 2x, and full-out (from a benchmarking app I wrote it appeared to be around 3.1x) speeds. I did this because things like tetris and Snake were unplayable at anything above 2x and some things behaved strangely at the unclocked setting.

Sure does bring back memories. You could do so much cool stuff with zshell. :)

Actually, not only is the copyright on the website 1996-2000, but I've visited that site before... 4-5 years ago... for a website with more information, go here...

ticalc.org

They used to be the best, back in the early days of the 'net. I haven't followed that scene seriously in a while, so I really can't say anymore. Still, they've got some good stuff there, including (yes) a section on overclocking.

ticalc.org

They used to be the best, back in the early days of the 'net. I haven't followed that scene seriously in a while, so I really can't say anymore. Still, they've got some good stuff there, including (yes) a section on overclocking.

I myself own one of the more recently manufactured TI-84s, and I notice that it is the only TI graphing calculator not listed on this fellow's site of otherwise great technical suggestions....

I would also be quick to remind everyone that http://www.ticalc.org/ has an extensive library of TI apps as well as links to other calc sites with more detailed overclocking hints and instructions.

Fark, putting the "New" back in news.

This is news?!?! "Old news for Nerds. Stuff that mattered 5 years ago."

http://www.ticalc.org/archives/files/fileinfo/238/ 23842.html

The language is very simple, but lacks speed. http://www.ticalc.org/

quill has been re-implemented for the TI 68K graphing calculators...
92+ version
89 version
windows-based compiler

quill has been re-implemented for the TI 68K graphing calculators...
92+ version
89 version
windows-based compiler

quill has been re-implemented for the TI 68K graphing calculators...
92+ version
89 version
windows-based compiler

You think that's nerdy? Check out this picture I dug up of this guy I know. He went as a TI-85, back when they were "new."

TI-85 Front
TI-85 Back

ha! beat that!

Just for the record, my name is not Seth.
(original article)

You think that's nerdy? Check out this picture I dug up of this guy I know. He went as a TI-85, back when they were "new."

TI-85 Front
TI-85 Back

ha! beat that!

Just for the record, my name is not Seth.
(original article)

You think that's nerdy? Check out this picture I dug up of this guy I know. He went as a TI-85, back when they were "new."

TI-85 Front
TI-85 Back

ha! beat that!

Just for the record, my name is not Seth.
(original article)

My question is, is this something new because its more clear? or because it's a hardware implementation?

However a lot of stuff uses serial ports in non-standard ways and I doubt you can do that with a USB-to-Serial converter. LIRC and WinLIRC allow you to send and receive remote control signals but don't work with the converters. A converter also might not allow you to talk to calculators, program some microcontrollers, decode and encode radio signals and more.

Sure, you can find microcontrollers with a USB interface and use those instead but that's more expensive and more work. Many people who would feel comfortable with making a simple interface involving a few resistors and diodes wouldn't build a USB interface.

I don't know if that's exactly what you're looking for, but like many TI-68k games, this game can be ported to HP-49G+.

GCC has been available for a long time for the 68000 based TI calculators with TIGCC. Is this about a port of GCC that runs on the calculator?

Maybe you should link to the correct Bubble Bobble game, rather than your accidently duplicated link.

Thanks for the compliment on my game!

Graphing Calculators can provide a similar (and much cheaper) tool. Beginners can start off with BASIC programs, and although these require some tweaking to run smoothly, that's part of the fun. (I goofed around with one myself a little while ago). More advanced assembly programmers have achieved some amazing stuff (such as greyscale on a black-and-white screen and a very accurate port of Bubble Bobble. The specs are all there for the asking.

Sure, calculators aren't as cool or powerful as what Lamothe is putting out there, but they do force you to be creative and do a lot with a little. Besides, making something happen on a little box just seems cooler - you tend to take having complex software for granted with PC's.

Graphing Calculators can provide a similar (and much cheaper) tool. Beginners can start off with BASIC programs, and although these require some tweaking to run smoothly, that's part of the fun. (I goofed around with one myself a little while ago). More advanced assembly programmers have achieved some amazing stuff (such as greyscale on a black-and-white screen and a very accurate port of Bubble Bobble. The specs are all there for the asking.

Sure, calculators aren't as cool or powerful as what Lamothe is putting out there, but they do force you to be creative and do a lot with a little. Besides, making something happen on a little box just seems cooler - you tend to take having complex software for granted with PC's.

Graphing Calculators can provide a similar (and much cheaper) tool. Beginners can start off with BASIC programs, and although these require some tweaking to run smoothly, that's part of the fun. (I goofed around with one myself a little while ago). More advanced assembly programmers have achieved some amazing stuff (such as greyscale on a black-and-white screen and a very accurate port of Bubble Bobble. The specs are all there for the asking.

Sure, calculators aren't as cool or powerful as what Lamothe is putting out there, but they do force you to be creative and do a lot with a little. Besides, making something happen on a little box just seems cooler - you tend to take having complex software for granted with PC's.

In my day, when we wanted mobile computing power, we had to do it with a 6 Mhz Z80. I mean really, you DONT need a desktop computer for waypoint flying.

CPU Usage for UAV
XP Embedded - 35%
Waypoint system - 1%
Flight Control System - 2% (It's written in C# with .net framework)
Seti@home client - 62%

I've always thought that the perfect cheap, low-level computer to teach Computer Science students assembly was with the one that most of them already have: A TI calculator.

There's an entire subculture devoted to programming these things and it's amazing what some have done. I've been tempted so many times to take up assembly on my calculator, but for some reason my TI-86 was just never all that popular and TI no longer makes cables for it.

I actually found the Texas Instruments 92 (now the Voyage 200 to be quite good for reading e-books on, and the batteries can last quite some time.

All you need is the Ti Ebook Reader.

As for the ebooks, I grabbed a bunch of the project gutenburg books, and converted them over. I probably still have them on my HD, if anyone wants them.

The new screen may make the sprites designed for the Ti 83 not work. Ti has a long history of offering useless updates, many of which disable old assembly programs and games. For example all the OS updates to the 89. There were practicly no differences between all the 2.0x versions. It seemed all they did was disable assembly programs I was already using. So I just stopped at 2.05 and haven't cared since. BTW a great site to get all your Ti stuff is TiCalc.org, although it is now somewhat censored.

The TI-92 can play a lot more than Tetris. Try this doom-like game with a variety of weapons, pretty big levels, a storyline and vehicles! (It works on the TI-89 as well)

Nothing from this decade or the last comes close in 3D gameplay to Knot in 3D. Now there's a classic, and it ran fast in 48k at 1MHz.