And brought back some memories for me too, thanks Peter. Specifically
waiting for my train to a financial analysis final exam, reading through
the manual for my TI42 MBA, just checking that I understood the syntax for
the pre-programmed DCF calcs. And suddenly realising that there was not
much point. I had made a special effort to dig out the manual, but had
forgotten to bring the calculator itself!
A quick detour to buy a replacement, standard calculator with the necessary
mathematical functions. No need to learn the syntax for the built in
programs, there were none. Much better all round! But no cigar, just a pass.
Piers
On Friday, 22 May 2015, Peter Klein <pklein@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> Wow, that sure brought up some memories. Paul, I think I started out on
> the same National Semiconductor model that you did. Then I graduated to an
> HP-25, because it was programmable. It cost me a week's salary. Which, as a
> public radio announcer in 1976, meant eating spaghetti for a couple of
> weeks. I actually used it at work, because I quickly realized that the
> decimal degrees <-> HMS function in a simple program would add up music
> timings.
>
> I had earned a BFA in theater and music, so I didn't take much math in
> college. I also had a tendency to reverse numbers or misinterpret the
> number of zeros. The calculator pretty much compensated for that. I was
> able to teach myself quite a bit of math, not to mention some programming.
> All of which stood me in good stead when I couldn't make a living in the
> arts, and became a computer nerd.
>
> I later progressed to an 11c, then a 32s (which I still use most of the
> time at home), and then I collected several others. They all work. My
> original 25 still calculates, but the program memory no longer works and
> the keys are getting intermittent.
>
> I know they still make RPN calculators, but the quality of manufacturing
> is a shadow of its former self, and some bugs have crept into the newer
> models.
>
> There is even a hobbyist-created model called the WP-34S. You get one of
> the inexpensive business calculators, reflash the ROM, stick on some custom
> key labels, and you end up with the synthesis of several of the best HP
> calculators. I've got one of those, too. :-) I waited too long before
> ordering the programming cable, and they ran out. I ended up sending the
> host calculator to Cincinnati, where a kind soul from the hpmuseum.org
> user group flashed it for me.
>
> http://commerce.hpcalc.org/34s.php
> http://hpmuseum.org
>
> --Peter, dictating to my iPad
> (If it misconstrues, please excuse)
>
> > I've also got a couple of early TI calculators if I need an equals
> > key. I never use them.
> > Jim Nichols Tullahoma, TN USA
> On 5/21/2015 11:22 AM, Jez Cunningham wrote:
> I use a 20S - because it has an equals key and my wife can also work it...
> On 21 May 2015 at 15:53, Jim Nichols <jhnichols [at] lighttube.net> wrote:
> Nice shot. I've got a 32S on my desk that I use every day. :-) Jim Nichols
> Tullahoma, TN USA On 5/21/2015 3:43 AM, Peter Klein wrote:
> This ought to warm the cockles of some of your hearts.
> https://www.flickr.com/photos/24844563@N04/17911267022/ They don't make
> 'em like that anymore, but at least there's an app. --Peter
>
> --
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