Calculators was Re: Delay lines

From: Joe <rigdonj_at_intellistar.net>
Date: Sat Mar 21 19:08:18 1998

At 01:21 AM 3/21/98 -0600, you wrote:
>
>I know people collect calculators, but I just can't imagine how it can
>bring the same kind of satisfaction as computer collecting. You can't
>really hack a calculator. They don't lend themselves very well to
>restoration efforts. They can't do many tricks. And few of them have any
>sort of personality

   Have you ever tried a HP 41? How does up to 961 external devices of
nearly every descrptions grab you? That's just one of the capabilities of
the HP-41 using the HP-IL interface. I currently have a 41 running a HP
logic analyzer!

(OK, I'll admit that HP tries pretty hard in this
>area).

   They did a good job too :-)
>
>Has anybody ventured a definition of computer that allows us to weed out
>mere calculators? How about:
>
>* must be programmable
>* must be general purpose
>* must have alphanumeric input capabilites
>* must have alphanumeric display capabilites

  The HP-41, 71, 75 and all the newer ones fit this description.
>
>Unfortunately, this would mean that an Altair isn't a computer until you
>add a terminal, but it keeps those pesky HP-65's out of the group.
>
>-- Doug

  Joe
Received on Sat Mar 21 1998 - 19:08:18 GMT