Thanks for the update, NoahK. I'm sure that once I have more time we'll be able to get to the bottom of the bridge configurator issues (or I'm sure with a bit of time you'll figure it out yourself). The bridge configuration also uses CALCnet communication, so if IRC is working, we'll eventually be able to get the bridge configuration to work too.
A goal for the super calc would be built-in internet connection somehow? You would just have to somehow connect the hardware to the OS. Or maybe use calcnet.
The goal of the internet part of SuperCalc (or SUPERCALC, or just supercalc) is to be able to access the gCnHubs set up from anywhere where WiFi is available. This will be done by (non-descretely) installing the Photon WiFi dev board into the calc, and running software to make it work as it should. By "connect the hardware to the OS", you mean to make the internet an integral part of TI-OS, that I cannot do. The communication is being done over the serial/link-port, and in the finished product, the Photon will be soldered to the calculator's link-port. The firmware Kerm wrote for the Spark Core (and therefore, the Photon), along with the programs I'm using (also written by Kerm), uses CALCnet2.2 almost (if not fully) exclusively, so CALCnet is already in use.

Kerm posted this as well in the next post.
tmwilliamlin168 wrote:
A goal for the super calc would be built-in internet connection somehow? You would just have to somehow connect the hardware to the OS. Or maybe use calcnet.
We have done that already; here's my Spark Core-based WiFi-connected calculator from last September: https://www.cemetech.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10715
I mean that is there a way to fit the wifi device inside the lid of the calculator?
tmwilliamlin168 wrote:
I mean that is there a way to fit the wifi device inside the lid of the calculator?
An enterprising hacker could certainly figure out a way. We (geekboy1011 and I, that is) have chosen not to do so, because we don't want to give people too many ideas about cheating using this project.
I don't know that much about tests like SAT, but they certainly wouldn't let you bring your own calculator, right?
tmwilliamlin168 wrote:
I don't know that much about tests like SAT, but they certainly wouldn't let you bring your own calculator, right?


Yes, they do let you bring your own, but you are "required" to show the programs and applications installed because you can't install any that do not come preinstalled. That being said, if you can program your own cheating software, you could easily trick anyone with a fake appvar and program list. Personally, I think it's a waste of time if you genuinely know the test to try and cheat because you would be better off getting a legit score in half the time.

Also this was a recent change in the past few years, but many are thinking that they will soon remove all calculator use or require "dumb" calculators instead of ones that can have programs/applications.

It is definitely an issue with how you should train the test monitors to check for cheating and how to best remove the element of cheating without affecting those who are doing no wrong. So in short, it would be pretty easy to cheat with a Wifi Connection and invisible phone hotspot, but I don't think we need to punish everyone by forcing calculators out of the test. There are many options that schools can take. For instance, it would be easier just to have a calculator provided for each student. It wouldn't necessarily need to be anything above a 83+, but definitely could be a cheating prevention tactic.
RascalJack wrote:
tmwilliamlin168 wrote:
I don't know that much about tests like SAT, but they certainly wouldn't let you bring your own calculator, right?


Yes, they do let you bring your own, but you are "required" to show the programs and applications installed because you can't install any that do not come preinstalled. That being said, if you can program your own cheating software, you could easily trick anyone with a fake appvar and program list. Personally, I think it's a waste of time if you genuinely know the test to try and cheat because you would be better off getting a legit score in half the time.

Also this was a recent change in the past few years, but many are thinking that they will soon remove all calculator use or require "dumb" calculators instead of ones that can have programs/applications.

It is definitely an issue with how you should train the test monitors to check for cheating and how to best remove the element of cheating without affecting those who are doing no wrong. So in short, it would be pretty easy to cheat with a Wifi Connection and invisible phone hotspot, but I don't think we need to punish everyone by forcing calculators out of the test. There are many options that schools can take. For instance, it would be easier just to have a calculator provided for each student. It wouldn't necessarily need to be anything above a 83+, but definitely could be a cheating prevention tactic.

What if you write a fake OS and it looks like there are no programs/apps. Or you could put the code of a program in a string and when the test starts you could Recall that string.
It's just not secure in any way, I wonder why they would let people bring their own calculators, it's the same as an open-book test.
I feel this has turned to a case of calculator ethics. I WILL be putting the WiFi card INSIDE the calculator, but keep in mind that said WiFi card is adorned with LED's behind a translucent case. When the WiFi is on, the case will light up. I will also be installing many switches and ports, including a bulky PS/2 port sticking out the bottom, all of which take the physical image of the calculator further and further from that of a stock calculator. I DO NOT PLAN ON USING THIS TO CHEAT, it is simply a proof of concept/test of my electronics skills. The awkward physical appearance of the finished product would deter it's use on any standardized test, and this calculator will not be used on classroom tests. I do believe I am an ethical person, and I am doing my best to remain one.
Would it be legal to give everyone instructions on building the super calc?
If a lot of people have access to it then many more programs could be made from the public.
tmwilliamlin168 wrote:
Would it be legal to give everyone instructions on building the super calc?
If a lot of people have access to it then many more programs could be made from the public.


This is a moral issue and a political view that we face today with the internet. Is it okay to censor the internet so we can stop cheaters? What about that 30 year old guy who just wants to do a cool DIY project? It wouldn't affect him or anyone else's day in a negative light so it should be legal to share and document the process. Now if he titled it: How to easily cheat on any test, then we have some issues.

I believe that the internet shouldn't be taxed, censored, or controlled in anyway because then we get into corruption. It should be the individual websites or admins of forums that monitor said content so it is purely legal. Of course, I want a little bit of monitoring so we can eliminate the child pornographic or child trafficking website, but at the same time that is because that is clearly black or white with no grey inbetween. The lines start to merge when we get into motive and target audience. If a cool DIY project's motive is to reach a hacker community and is for an inventive and cool project, then it should be perfectly legal to build a super calculator. But on the other hand, if the target audience is kids who want to cheat on tests and the motive is money, we have an issue. We could use the same argument for 3D Printers and should people be able to release schematics for weapons online or potentially dangerous if landed in the wrong hands schematics. Issues like this will always be controversial because the issue at hand will always fall on that one person who abuses freedom to hurt or steal from other people.

I think this is an awesome project though and should continue to be documented because OP's motive and project goals are for a cool calculator mod not for the ultimate cheating machine.
RascalJack wrote:
tmwilliamlin168 wrote:
I don't know that much about tests like SAT, but they certainly wouldn't let you bring your own calculator, right?


Yes, they do let you bring your own, but you are "required" to show the programs and applications installed because you can't install any that do not come preinstalled.
Not where I took the SAT (or the PSAT for that matter). They barely even checked the calculator. Everyone just held up their calc and the proctors just glanced at them. For the PSAT they didn't even do that.
For my tests, as long as the calculator was the right model (aka not shipped with a CAS pre-installed), it was alright. That's basically the standard for tests, and why calculator rules are what they are; CAS is too much of an advantage.
Ivoah wrote:
RascalJack wrote:
tmwilliamlin168 wrote:
I don't know that much about tests like SAT, but they certainly wouldn't let you bring your own calculator, right?


Yes, they do let you bring your own, but you are "required" to show the programs and applications installed because you can't install any that do not come preinstalled.
Not where I took the SAT (or the PSAT for that matter). They barely even checked the calculator. Everyone just held up their calc and the proctors just glanced at them. For the PSAT they didn't even do that.

Wow there might already be someone who made calcnet before anyone else and cheated many times
Perhaps, but given the skills required to do so, said person probably has a "thing" for math anyway. And plus, if they used the standard IRC to talk with us, we would know they are cheating. If they are using WebHub, connections are too slow and show too little data to do any real cheating.

On this site, we try not to entertain the idea of cheating on tests or doing other unethical things (such as sharing ROMs or ripping people off). I'd like to keep this thread as focused as possible, and keep the posts here to be related to the build process of my SuperCalc.
Back on topic: Are you going to try to combine the ArTICL and gcnhub programs? It shouldn't be too hard.
Thanks for the change of topic, Ivoah. I will attempt to merge the two, probably with a physical switch to select Wifi or SD. But for now, I have to track down the issue of the BRIDGCFG program not working correctly before I begin modifying the Photon's code to implement anything ArTICL related.
I think DrKerm said that it was because the version of Doors CS you're using didn't have the BASIC CalcNet2.2 stuff. I believe he said to try beta 3.
I'm using beta 3, the program starts and runs and all, no errors about syntax. It just gets hung up on trying to collect configuration data from the Photon. I'm thinking/hoping the problem lies on the Photon side.

I still have not found the issue with the configuration program, but I have come across and solved another problem. Last weekend when I set up my Photon for the first time, I did so on an unsecured network at a vacation house. But my Wifi at home is WEP secured. After many failed attempts at getting it set up with the WEP security, I opted for a different solution. I found an old junk router in the back of the closet, changed the subnet to make it different than that of the main router, daisy-chained the two, and made the junk router unsecured. I then connected the Photon to the unsecured router, then went into the router settings and made it so only the Photon's MAC address was allowed to connect via wifi. I know it works, but I would like some feedback from some of the more network-savvy members here as to if this is a secure set-up.
  
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