Wednesday, March 28, 2012

HOWTO: TI-83 Emulator on Linux

When you are trying to show a classroom full of students how to enter a complicated equation into their calculator it is pretty much always best to give an example. In order to do this in an effective manner I like to be able to display the calculator on the projector. Most students today have a TI83/84 model so being able to have an emulator for one of these on my laptop is essential. The following is how I went about getting a TI-83 emulator setup on my Bodhi Linux machine:

First - Download, Compile, and install Tilem

My TI emulator of choice is called "Tilem". It is an open source project and you can download the latest source code here. Extract it's contents and do the:

./configure
make
sudo make install

dance that compiles so much software. If the software doesn't compile for you first try be sure to check the README file and the configure script output - odds are you are simply missing a build dependency. If you can't figure out the issue on your own pastebin the error message and post it in the comments - I'll do my best to lend a hand.

Second - Obtain and use a ROM Image

There are a few different ways to get an image of a TI-ROM. You can dump the ROM off of a physical calculator you own (mildly complicated, check that README file for details on this) or you can hit Google. I found a good TI83 download here.

Next simply launch

tilem2

and point it to the location of your calculator ROM file. Once you select it your TI emulator should appear on screen:




Enjoy!

~Jeff Hoogland
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16 comments:

  1. MicahMarch 28, 2012 at 1:49 PM

    WOW those calculators look totally boss! We don't have anything like that in Ireland.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JeffHooglandMarch 28, 2012 at 2:05 PM

      Ha! That is a 10 year old calculator. The one I use every day looks like -> http://wildaboutmath.com/images/TI%20Nspire%20CAS.jpg

      Delete
    2. AnonymousMarch 29, 2012 at 6:26 AM

      That's older than 10 years. I was using one in high school and that was 16 years ago.

      That is pretty awesome though. Thanks!

      Delete
    3. MicahMarch 30, 2012 at 1:27 PM

      We use these http://www.casio.com/products/Calculators_%26_Dictionaries/Scientific_%26_Financial/FX-300ES/

      Delete
  2. junMarch 30, 2012 at 8:57 AM

    Is there any reason you don't use 'tiemu' which is available as a binary package in the Debian and Ubuntu repos? Is it b/c tiemu only emulates TI89 and 92?
    -Jun

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JeffHooglandMarch 30, 2012 at 9:03 AM

      Thats the primary reason. I need a TI83/84 not a 89

      Delete
  3. Shannon VanWagnerApril 25, 2012 at 12:07 AM

    Thanks for posting this!
    We had to: sudo apt-get install libgtk2.0-dev (per http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1687776 ) to be able to ./configure successfully.
    We're on Ubuntu 12.04

    ReplyDelete
  4. Shannon VanWagnerApril 25, 2012 at 12:19 AM

    Ever put programs onto a TI-83(ish) with GNU/Linux? I see that TI-Connect should work in wine, but they say they've never connected to a "real" calculator. http://appdb.winehq.org/objectManager.php?sClass=version&iId=3992&iTestingId=64403&bShowAll=true
    Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
  5. poproarApril 27, 2012 at 6:56 PM

    I have been chomping away at khanacademy.org to sharpin my skills I left behind some umpteen years ago. As I plan to get into the high level math and see the recommendations for calculators (mostly the 83/84 plus) I have been researching ti's site and read about the newer Nspire. Now I am overwhelmed with options and restrictions. I keep thinking I don't need to drop nearly $200 on a calculator when my T101MT is just fine but if i do spend so much on a calc what is the smarter choice? Some promote a 84 plus keypad but if it does the same thing (or more) just keyed differently how do i know or will restrictions on future exams bite me in the end? Regardless, are there any tips from the pros about this investment?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JeffHooglandApril 28, 2012 at 9:25 AM

      Honestly it depends on the school for which calculator you get. I've been using an nSpire with my studies for the last three years now and it works great - all my classes have allowed it's usage.

      Delete
  6. ChrisMay 18, 2012 at 4:37 PM

    Troubles... Fedora 16
    I've
    yum install gtk+
    yum install gtk+-devel

    when ./configure I get following error

    Package gtk+-2.0 was not found in the pkg-config search path. Perhaps you should add the directory containing `gtk+-2.0.pc' to the PKG_CONFIG_PATH environment variable No package 'gtk+-2.0' found
    configure: error: Library requirements (gtk+-2.0 >= 2.4.0) not met; consider adjusting the PKG_CONFIG_PATH environment variable if your libraries are in a nonstandard prefix so pkg-config can find them.

    don't know what to try next please advise (THANK YOU!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JeffHooglandMay 19, 2012 at 1:58 AM

      Sounds like Fedora 16 is putting build deps in non-standard places. I'd suggest posting your above error on the Fedora help forums.

      Delete
    2. ChrisMay 21, 2012 at 5:54 AM

      I feel foolish!

      On Fedora 16
      yum install tilem worked beautifully.

      moved the rom files as you instructed and all is well.

      Thank you!

      Delete
  7. Bob BosakOctober 19, 2012 at 10:01 AM

    Might be users that are forgetful as I am! You have to go into your home folder and click under view to display hidden files. From there you find the Tilem folder and put the rom image in the proper folder as there are a few different folders for each. Once you have the rom image in all you need to do is type Tilem in your terminal and it comes up easy! Grew up near Chicago myself in Bridgeview. Not as swift as you as am only pursuing Associates in BIT. Thanks for not posting previous as I felt very foolish. Would appreciate if this was posted as to help those that get confused as I do sometimes!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JeffHooglandOctober 19, 2012 at 11:07 AM

      Glad you got it working - I didn't see another post from your name, perhaps blogger auto-sorted it to spam by mistake. Guess I should go manually sort through those comments.

      Delete
  8. AnonymousFebruary 21, 2013 at 1:49 PM

    It also works to compile tilem2 in Rasbian on Raspberry Pi.

    ReplyDelete

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