Calc wars

From: Don Maslin <donm_at_cts.com>
Date: Thu Sep 27 13:38:34 2001

On Thu, 27 Sep 2001, Fred Cisin (XenoSoft) wrote:

> On Thu, 27 Sep 2001, Douglas Quebbeman wrote:
> > Way back in '77 (I think), I got a mailing from TI advertising and
> > offerring for sale the TI Programmer, which was a simple 4-function
> > calculator in that standard black-plastic format they used to use,
> > replete with the also-standard LEDs. However, it wasn't actually a
> > four-function calculator, because it included radix conversion and
> > several standard logical operators.
> > At home, when I need radix conversion, instead of the Casio Fx-115m or
> > the Calc accessory, I still reach for the TI Programmer...
>
> The TI "Programmer" (NOT to be confused with "programmable") was one of
> the first basic calculators to offer hexadecimal arithmetic and
> hex/decimal conversion. The LED display really ate batteries, and it
> could go through a battery discharge in less time than it takes Windoze to
> boot. But if you kept it plugged into the wall, it worked great.
>
> Then they came out with a new model of it with LCD display. The batteries
> got great life, but the keyboard tended to go before the batteries.
>
>
> If you like having a calculator that includes hex, one of the really neat
> ones is the Casio CFX-40 and CFX-400. It requires good eyes and good
> dexterity, since it is a "scientific" calculator in a watch. It's biggest
> weakness was a tendency to crack between the display and the keyboard.
> I've replaced the case on several.
>
> --
> Grumpy Ol' Fred cisin_at_xenosoft.com
>

And for those with weak eyes, there is always the Casio CM-100
solar-powered `computer math calc' handheld. I think no longer
manufactured, though.
                                                 - don
Received on Thu Sep 27 2001 - 13:38:34 BST