G-SNDO NEWS: calculator inside

[DanSteph]

In the NEXT version you will have a calculator display
that will let you do common operation as well as SIN COS
and SQRT. No need to take a calculator or a paper and as it keep
also the number in memory you can keep a number here for later
reference.

It's very intuitive to use using the panel's keyboard
(number can be entered with your real keyboard)

-when you type a number and a common operation
 the number entered go to MEM then you can type your new
 number to add/div/sub or mul    en ENTER for result.

-any result is copied to mem ready for the next operation

-If you don't type a number the operation is done on the mem
 taken that there is already a number.

-you can change beetween RAD and DEG clicking on SPEC button

SQRT COS SIN operation are done directly on input number if there is one
or on mem number if there is one also.



An operation like this:          234*(sqrt(cos(45)+10)))
would be clicked as follow : 45 COS + 10 ENTER SQRT * 234 ENTER

result=765.6881

intuitive isn't it ?

(version not available yet)

[DanSteph]

NEWS UPDATE

well,

I will add also ACOS ASIN ATAN and TAN hoppefully there
is plenty of place here it's juts a matter of designing
another button and adding some code.   

Dan

[bgreman]

            Well, you could add the tan button, and then just one
more button,
called 'inv', which when
clicked, would 'set' the calculator to inverse mode, so with 'inv' ON, hitting SIN would give ARCSIN,
COS --> ARCCOS, and SQRT --> (input)^2.  That's how windows calculator does it.

[DanSteph]

Thanks but odd button don't filled very well and as I have plenty of place here
this should do the job:

[reekchaa]

Looks great.  Nice sub-set keypad.

[Bob]

Wow, Dan you real are doing some great work on these addons for orbiter.

Have you ever thought of making a dll for the cockpits that would use Flight Sim Toolkits cockpit
Tool Editor this program was made by Domark. But its cockpit tool could be used for custom
cockpits in orbiter if some one made a dll that can read in the FMD file format from this tool.

Just a Thought.

[Pieter Tieghem]

Hi!
Nice design but I absolutely don't know why you need a calculator???

Pieter

[DanSteph]

Pieter Tieghem wrote:
> Hi!
> Nice design but I absolutely don't know why you need a
> calculator???
>
> Pieter

for example calculating the launch azimuth :
Launch Azimuth = arcsin (cos (desired_orbital_inclination) / cos (launch_ latitude))
or time to burn so you can set the auto burn MFD and various things that advanced
user of orbiter use instead of the good old "trial and error" method.

I wonder if I will not put also a *formula help display" with various useful formula.
mhhh perhaps as a check-list ?

I think that making it right on number because you calculated a thing with DGII panel
is a nice and imersive addition.
When next version come you may try to Launch from another base than KCS
while calculating the launch azimuth yourself.

Dan

[Pieter Tieghem]

Indeed, you need a calculator... That formulas could be useful.
But what would be more useful, I think, is that the formulas are programmed in the calculator: you
just need to type in the right variables, click on the formula and you have the result.
Maybe this can be added to: I found problems during landing, when I didn't see the spaceport.
Could you add, maybe on the reentry display, which pitch is needed to fly exactly to the
spaceport? I was flying and flying... But then I saw the spaceport in front of me, but 30° down... In
that case the display should read: 30° If I had such a display, I would have flown earlier low.
Is that possible?

Thanks again for this great spacecraft!!!
Pieter

[BEEP]

Dan,

I`d think    you`d need a kind of Scientific notation "#####E+##" to handle values such as G, M
and u.

Nevertheless I`ll always keep my 48G at hand.

Best Regards,

BEEP

[DanSteph]

pieter if you set the landing base as target in your map mfd
you have a marker on the HUD heading indicator that show
the direction, there is also a landing MFD that can help you but the hud
indicator work with bigger distance.

Dan

[Harmsway]

    Way to go, Dan! This is been batted about the forum as long as I can remember.

Gene

[MattNW]

I've wished for a calculator inside Orbiter for a long time. I know I can Alt/Tab out and use
Windows Calculator but then I don't have the read outs I need to do the calculations so I end up
either writing them down first or grabbing my calculator out of the desk drawer. I can also run
Orbiter in a window but that darn bar on the top ruins the immersion in the sim. I would have
settled for being able to pull Windows calculator up from inside Orbiter (kind of like the menu you
get when you use Crtl/i for your nave frequencies). Having one on the panel is an even nicer touch.

[Pieter Tieghem]

No Dan, I don't mean heading, but the pitch down direction

[Doc Holiday]

Hi,

First, thank you Dan for DGII. You actually motivated me to start constructing a Mars mission
scenario. Get off the planet, dock at ISS, get to moon, board the Mars ship etc....

But my request about the calculator is this. It'd be nice if you could build in functions to calculate
simple but boring stuff, like calculating how much time a burn would take for a specific DeltaV with
the specific thrust (using turbo prop or without it, using only RCS), so  one would time the burn
correctly (like how many seconds before reaching the Peri/Apoapsis should one engage the
engines for optimum accuracy).

Some MFD's include that (Align), but some do not, like Transfer MFD and you can get a nasty
apoapsis error when you try to get to, say Jupiter. Maybe some other people can think of similar
little "chores" an average "Orbiternaut" needs to figure out in his cockpit every day.

If I get more ideas like that I will be in touch, meanwhile. Seat belts on.

Best regards and I promise to eat the fruits of your labour with great gratitude

Janez Doc Holidy

[DanSteph]

Develloping more *inttelligent* system like autopilot or computer is one things that
I find really intteresting....  what is missing for now is a letter keyboard because
I don't want to rely to a nasty "pop up" windows to enter target 's name.

I must think about it.

Dan

[Doc Holiday]

Well, I'm not much of a programmer, but I am known to give useful unprofessional hints, so I will
try now. Since I personally usually use keyboard, not the mouse, I could live w/o the keyboard (at
least for a while). I can even learn shortcuts, but that's not the point here. So until a keyboard can
be arranged I propose a few alternative solutions:

1. Use a system similar to Radu's OSMFD. Typing stuff while keeping the SHIFT key pressed. Even
better: assign a special function to say Caps Lock, to switch orbiter to input mode, so it will
disregard the functions of standard keys such as O, L, A, G, etc. I do not know if that is possible
with the current API, but you and other guys will know. When you are finished typing in
parameters, turn off Caps Lock.

2. Another option: Use OSMFD's (Sorry, but I just love the thing) syntax to enter data, for example
PRO xxx DATA yyy DATA p1,p2,p3, where DATA would be used to enter specific numerical
parameters or index numbers (1 for Mercury, 2 for Venus  or 1 for prograde burn or whatever,
depending on the program/function). You'd only need to add DATA button to the layout then...

What do you think?

All the best,
Doc

[DanSteph]

I may have a solution for real keyboard I must make some test.
but IF I implement also a clickable keyboard this
one will only be used to enter your target's name so this would not be
to much a pain I suppose. (and this is only an idea floating in the air)

About OSMFD I find it nice but didn't *entered* in it because it's too
complicated for my taste, I must keep a balance beetween *hard core* procedure's fan who don't mind having the doc and enter dozen of meaningless number and those that just want to press one button
to go to mars.
Until now I have choosed a middle, the dgII is *easy* to use and
I hope to keep it as it is now.

anyway thanks for idea,

Dan

[John]

Dan:
 I read the discussion on the calculator and I think you are on the right track. The middle of the
road is the best approach. I like the idea of an onboard calculator, with a list of formula helps but
do not make it too automatic. Make people use their minds and learn something along the way. I
want to use orbiter to show kids what they can do with good math skills and maybe motivate
them in their education. From an educational perspective you are right on.  Orbiter to me is more a
tool than a game. Thanks for your dedication to Orbiter.  I am looking forward to calculating burn
duration and more.

John Abent

PS. Today we tested VCM Workstation running on 9 networked computers in preparation of our
June 26-28 Mission to ISS in the Delta Glider II. We still like the idea of the video conference with
you.

[DanSteph]

Hello John,

Your completely right , also I will keep it like this, if one doesn't understand
the basis , its useless to enter number without understanding what they
mean.

I can add some function in a check-list just for recall purpose but one must still
learn how to use them.

I hope the gliderII will be ready for your trip long before the jun 26 so
I can ensure all will running smooth for your mission.

About video I still find it a great idea but I'm worried that you make
some expense for me.  But I have already all the material for a chatting or more
for a conversation with team speak or another system (roger wilco).
(perhaps you may find someone that can translate french-english so I doesnt
look too illiterate after the common things that I'm able to understand
(usually I'm lost just after: "hello, how are you"  

(btw at wich GMT time do you plan a meeting ?)

Best wish

Dan

[John]

I will get back to you on the video conference. I will research what is needed. My first priority is to
find  someone who speaks French and English. I will then prepare a script so the questions are
not a suprise, for the most part. And three I will send you the video cam for your computer.
Right now it is something that would be a great thrill for the kids involved and it would add
another level of realism to their experience. The cross culture experience is also a plus. I have a
lot of work to do. I am working with Mike Rix and his VMC software for Orbiter. I asked him if there
was any way to tap into the life support, electrical, and other  telemetry of the DGII that you have
so wonderfully added. This would allow us to invlove more kids in our mission control portion of
the mission.

God Bless;

John Abent