Detron's Calculator Experience, or even more proof I am a nerd

gerleatherberman · **Reply #120 on:** July 29, 2018, 03:00:59 AM

Love the new user photo, detron!

detron · **Reply #121 on:** July 29, 2018, 03:02:22 AM

Quote from: gerleatherberman on July 29, 2018, 03:00:59 AM

Love the new user photo, detron!

thanks! I "borrowed" it from an ebay listing in Greece.

BePrepared · **Reply #122 on:** July 29, 2018, 10:12:55 PM

In had a Casio fx-120. Was large, but the green display and easy press keys set these Casio's apart from the TI types and the later LCD models. Still got it somewhere at my parents house.

At Uni I got a HP-15C. I loved that as much as the fx-120. I particularly enjoyed it when someone asked to borrow it in a practical class..... I would say that it was a bit complicated to use, and they would look at me as if I was weird, then after about a minute when they could not find an equal key, they would hand it back and say they didn't need it.

I sold the HP 15C on ebay 20 years later, for about the same price I bought it for. I was not using the HP, and it was a shame for it to sit in a draw unused. It needed to go to someone who would appreciate it. But I did make sure I got visiting rights!

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

Whoey · **Reply #123 on:** July 30, 2018, 12:21:16 PM

For fun I used to flip the screen polarizer on my TI, something I discovered while putting my name on the screen edge surround since it was important to mark your calculator as everyone in the class was only allowed to use those during tests and exams. Confused the heck out of some of my classmates when they tried to borrow it.

detron · **Reply #124 on:** July 30, 2018, 04:33:09 PM

Quote from: Whoey on July 30, 2018, 12:21:16 PM

For fun I used to flip the screen polarizer on my TI, something I discovered while putting my name on the screen edge surround since it was important to mark your calculator as everyone in the class was only allowed to use those during tests and exams. Confused the heck out of some of my classmates when they tried to borrow it.

or you can put the polorizing film on some glasses, then no one else can see the display

hiraethus · **Reply #125 on:** July 30, 2018, 04:39:39 PM

Anyone here own a Curta?

detron · **Reply #126 on:** July 30, 2018, 04:42:20 PM

Quote from: hiraethus on July 30, 2018, 04:39:39 PM

Anyone here own a Curta?

I want one, but can't afford one

hiraethus · **Reply #127 on:** July 30, 2018, 04:45:57 PM

Me too. I remember spending what seemed like hours in the Science Museum in London gazing at the replica of Babbage's Difference Engine as a kid - and then I discovered that there was a pocket-sized version...

detron · **Reply #128 on:** July 30, 2018, 05:18:34 PM

Quote from: hiraethus on July 30, 2018, 04:45:57 PM

Me too. I remember spending what seemed like hours in the Science Museum in London gazing at the replica of Babbage's Difference Engine as a kid - and then I discovered that there was a pocket-sized version...

it is a sweet little device, I wish there was a remake, as a science toy, say $80. I would buy that

Steinar · **Reply #129 on:** July 30, 2018, 08:44:15 PM

This thread made me discover these guys: https://www.swissmicros.com/index.php

Really fun product, even though it's a classical example of monetizing other people's work in open source software. On the other hand, they do deliver added value and their products are really cool, so I'll let it pass this time.

(Long story short: Uses a modern micro controller and open source emulators to recreate classic HP calculators, both in normal and miniature form factors.)

detron · **Reply #130 on:** July 30, 2018, 08:54:18 PM

Quote from: Steinar on July 30, 2018, 08:44:15 PM

This thread made me discover these guys: https://www.swissmicros.com/index.php

Really fun product, even though it's a classical example of monetizing other people's work in open source software. On the other hand, they do deliver added value and their products are really cool, so I'll let it pass this time.

(Long story short: Uses a modern micro controller and open source emulators to recreate classic HP calculators, both in normal and miniature form factors.)

I have seen those and think that DM 42 looks great, but expensive! Also, seems to stay "out-of-stock" or Sold-out

Kev D · **Reply #131 on:** July 31, 2018, 05:00:46 PM

Loved the FX82 back in the day when I did my engineering degree. I have the app version of it on my phone nowadays

detron · **Reply #132 on:** July 31, 2018, 07:14:15 PM

Quote from: Kev D on July 31, 2018, 05:00:46 PM

Loved the FX82 back in the day when I did my engineering degree. I have the app version of it on my phone nowadays

my first calculator was an fx-82a, not sure of exact differences, but I did like it.

detron · **Reply #133 on:** July 31, 2018, 07:16:52 PM

here is my 1985 TI-36 Solar.

detron · **Reply #134 on:** July 31, 2018, 07:19:27 PM

the TI-60x is a feature rich non-graphing calculator. this one is from 1993, and is a pretty sweet little machine. Notice the 2nd, 3rd, and Alpha keys, lots of shifting on this one.

detron · **Reply #135 on:** July 31, 2018, 07:28:12 PM

before Texas instruments released graphing calculators, one of the most advanced pocket calculators was the TI-68.
Radio Shack did their own re-branded version, the EC-4044. it is the same calculator, just the brand and colors were changed.

notice the 2nd, 3rd, Alpha, AND INV keys. the inverse is mainly for things like inverse sin, and such, but it is yet another shift type key.

the TI-60x is referred to as the TI-68 lite. it does have a fraction key that the 68 was missing. I like the fraction key, even though I know how to do fractions without it.

detron · **Reply #136 on:** July 31, 2018, 07:39:31 PM

the TI-34 from 1997.

detron · **Reply #137 on:** July 31, 2018, 07:42:59 PM

the TI-36x solar. this one is from 1992, as nice as the solar option is, I think I prefer the dual power, or battery power calculator.

detron · **Reply #138 on:** July 31, 2018, 07:53:45 PM

The TI-36X Pro is a rather nice calculator, for an algebraic machine. (I have converted to an RPN fan)
this has a lot of features, and some innovative mechanics, like triple press buttons.
the "sin sin -1" button is one example press it you get "sin", then press it again you get "sin -1", then press it again and you get "sinh"

the sin, cos, and tan, buttons do this (real nice) and the Pi, e, and i also are done this way.

EDIT* the nPr, nCr, and ! functions are also done this way

Whoey · **Reply #139 on:** August 04, 2018, 11:35:13 PM

Care to extend the nerdom?
https://blog.hackster.io/warppi-is-an-impressive-diy-raspberry-pi-calculator-for-step-by-step-algebra-2c3610ba39f6

detron · **Reply #140 on:** August 05, 2018, 12:39:01 AM

Quote from: Whoey on August 04, 2018, 11:35:13 PM

Care to extend the nerdom?
https://blog.hackster.io/warppi-is-an-impressive-diy-raspberry-pi-calculator-for-step-by-step-algebra-2c3610ba39f6

I love the idea, but doubt I would personally do this.
I do wish there was a linux distro focused on being a calculator and math tools.
I have a few older laptops that would be perfect for that.

Ron Who · **Reply #141 on:** August 05, 2018, 09:35:45 AM

You might try Maxima (formerly Macsyma), a computer algebra system that runs both on Linux and Windows.

http://maxima.sourceforge.net/

detron · **Reply #142 on:** August 05, 2018, 09:47:45 PM

Quote from: Ron Who on August 05, 2018, 09:35:45 AM

You might try Maxima (formerly Macsyma), a computer algebra system that runs both on Linux and Windows.

http://maxima.sourceforge.net/

that looks really cool, and I have seen many pieces of software to do what I want, but as someone who is more interested in the calculator than the math itself

I would like a Distro that is focused on providing multiple calculators focused on different areas. yes a CAS system will be there, buy also maybe a calculator that is focused on chemical engineering, and one dedicated to computer science.
a nice graphing program as well, and maybe even some prime number checkers/listers, Fibonacci counters, etc, etc.
basically strip the underlying OS to just enough to run the apps. (I am too lazy, (and have no free time) to do this myself

look at RetroPie, a great distro focused on emulation. think a calculator / science / math / physics / electrical nerd version of that

gerleatherberman · **Reply #143 on:** August 06, 2018, 02:29:54 AM

detron,

Thank you for the extra calculator nerd porn.

You get tired of that RadioShack EC-4044, just send it my way.

The burgundy keys really set it apart.

detron · **Reply #144 on:** August 06, 2018, 01:29:25 PM

Quote from: gerleatherberman on August 06, 2018, 02:29:54 AM

detron,

Thank you for the extra calculator nerd porn.

You get tired of that RadioShack EC-4044, just send it my way.
The burgundy keys really set it apart.

it is a looker!

glad you enjoyed it, I still have more to come, just need some free time