calculator
How to enable comma separation of integers in Ubuntu's default calculator?
By default the calculator doesn't separate every three digits so looking at the difference between large integers is difficult.
Example:
10000000000
10000000
For old guys with poor vision like me it's hard to tell the difference between a few million and a few billion without the commas.
1,000,000,000
10,000,000
The libticables2-2 library supplied with Ubuntu 11.04 (and as of this writing, 11.10 too) supports the SilverLink cables only. I've just uploaded a patch which adds support for the TI-84+ calculator which is available in LP #747589.
tilp group so you may use the device without running as roottilpInstructions for installing tilp and getting it to work with the TI-84+:
tilp package and its dependencies like libticables2-2: sudo apt-get install tilpDownload the patch:
wget https://launchpadlibrarian.net/79510370/new-devices-and-fixed-sysfs-warning.patch
Apply the patch to the installed udev rules:
sudo patch /lib/udev/rules.d/45-libticables.rules < new-devices-and-fixed-sysfs-warning.patch
Add yourself to the tilp group:
sudo usermod -a -G tilp $USER
Now make known to tilp that you're using a TI-84+ calculator by running:
tilp --calc=ti84+ --cable=DirectLink
This will set the calc=TI84+ and cable_model=DirectLink in the ~/.tilp configuration file. After running the above command, it's sufficient to run just tilp in the future (using the application menu or by running the command directly).
The Calculator has various modes. What you are looking for is the Programming mode, which lets you display numbers in various bases. To use it, select Calculator › Programming from the menu.
As you asked for the scientific mode, I must add that functions commonly used in scientific calculations are available using Calculator › Advanced.
Best Answer
ubuntu 14.04 / calculator 3.10.3 && calculator 3.18.3 - ubuntu 16.04
The solution took me a few minutes too long to find given the simplicity and obviousness of it so here it is in case anybody else overlooks it like I did and will again next time I reinstall Ubuntu.
(calculator 3.10.3 - ubuntu 14.04) click Edit
(calculator 3.18.3 - ubuntu 16.04) click Calculator
click Preferences
check Show thousands separators
click Close
no reboot needed
Bonus Tip - The menus for Ubuntu software programs are not intuitive, especially when the app is not full screen (like the calculator app). To reveal the menu, hover your cursor at the top of the screen and it will show itself. (thanks to Raymond)