Re: [ATM] OT: Desktop RPN calculator

[James P Crombie <jpcrombie@pei.eastlink.ca>]

While I was looking around at the RPN stuf on the web, I found this new 
casio graphing calculator. The casio Classpad 300.  Lots of interesting 
features and while it does not do rpn as is, I did find a program you 
could load to provide it.
http://www.casio.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=products.detail&catalog=Calculators&section=Graphing&product=CLASSPad300
 
 My first calculator was bought in 76, I can't remember the make, but it 
wasn't an HP, maybe a TI or other.  not a lot of functions and a lot of 
money for a student back then.  It was rpn and since it was my first 
calculator I didn't know it wasn't the usually state of affairs.  The 
first calculator I saw was an old HP desk unit with a CRT,  just did +-/ 
x  and you could do sq rt if you gave it an estimate first :-) That was 
in 73 and I don't think they were used anymore
  I now have a casio CFX9850 graphing, about 5 years old.  I don't use a 
lot of its functions but the 5 line display comes in handy and you can 
correct error as you go with the cursor

Richard Schwartz wrote:

>I just looked around for my 33s that was given out as a gratuity by HP at
>our last conference.   All I found was my 48GX, my 49G, and my 49G+.   The
>latter is in an unopened blister pack.   Those machines were once the
>backbone of my engineering practice, but now it is my Palm and iPAQ.  I sure
>wish there could be a version of forth on the iPAQ as there is on the Palm.
>The programming language of my HP machines is a dialect of forth.   The
>memory layout of the 33s is AWFUL.   There are not enough registers, and the
>indexing scheme is no good.   I wouldn't waste brain waves on a 33s.   I did
>waste brain waves on a 30s.  It is not even programmable, but I manages to
>solve a certain kind of polynomial on it very efficiently (and thereby get
>the internal rate of return of an annuity).
>
>What went wrong with the Calculators?   The Luddite "educators" demanded
>that certain capabilities be REMOVED.   Capabilities like infrared beaming
>of program objects.   Some demanded that any alphanumeric capability be
>REMOVED.   I suppose they will next demand that anybody who owns a
>calculator must have one quarter of his brain removed (to "equalize" him
>with the disadvantaged layers of society).
>
>. . . Richard
>
>----- Original Message ----- 
>From: "James P Crombie" <jpcrombie@pei.eastlink.ca>
>To: "Richard Schwartz" <richas@earthlink.net>; "atm list" <atm@atmlist.net>
>Sent: Thursday, June 23, 2005 11:53 AM
>Subject: Re: [ATM] OT: Desktop RPN calculator
>
>
>  
>
>>Richard
>>  HP still makes several models with an RPN mode on their calculators.
>>The HP 33s is one, there are also a couple of graphing types and finacial.
>>http://www.hp.com/calculators/scientific/33s/
>>http://www.hp.com/calculators/articles/rpn.html
>>
>>Richard Schwartz wrote:
>>
>>    
>>
>>>There was a technique for rejuvenating the nicad batteries with a
>>>      
>>>
>capacitor
>  
>
>>>discharge.  The theory was that this burned away micrscopic metal
>>>      
>>>
>whiskers
>  
>
>>>inside the cells that were draining the power.    It worked several
>>>      
>>>
>times,
>  
>
>>>and then finally you were done.   I do not know HP's business plan; maybe
>>>that is where they got the idea they now use with their inkjet
>>>      
>>>
>cartridges!
>  
>
>>>. . . Richard
>>>
>>>----- Original Message ----- 
>>>From: "Don D'Egidio" <djd521@comcast.net>
>>>To: "Ken Hunter" <atm_ken_hunter@yahoo.com>; "Don Clement"
>>><clement.focuser@verizon.net>; "atml" <atm@atmlist.net>
>>>Sent: Wednesday, June 22, 2005 9:05 PM
>>>Subject: Re: [ATM] OT: Desktop RPN calculator
>>>
>>>
>>>Ken,
>>>
>>>The power packs were my problem. I would cut the case apart at the glue
>>>      
>>>
>line
>  
>
>>>and put in new cells. What finally ended it's use was loosing several
>>>segments of the LED display. I bought mine in Sept. 1970 for $212.00.
>>>      
>>>
>Used
>  
>
>>>it up until three years ago. I sure do miss that RPN calculator.
>>>
>>>Don
>>>
>>>----- Original Message ----- 
>>>From: "Ken Hunter" <atm_ken_hunter@yahoo.com>
>>>To: "Don Clement" <clement.focuser@verizon.net>; "atml" <atm@atmlist.net>
>>>Sent: Wednesday, June 22, 2005 23:12
>>>Subject: Re: [ATM] OT: Desktop RPN calculator
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>      
>>>
>>>>Hey Don...
>>>>
>>>>HP-35 hmmm...
>>>>
>>>>How mwny times have you had to cut the power connector
>>>>off the cord and cut into the rubber so that you could
>>>>solder it back together? Wish I had $10.00 for every
>>>>one I brought back to life that way.
>>>>
>>>>Ken Hunter
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>        
>>>>
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>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>      
>>>
>
>
>  
>
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