From: anthony@csd4.csd.uwm.edu (Anthony J Stieber)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.palmtops
Subject: Re: HP95 scientific calculator
Date: 18 Nov 1992 07:28:57 GMT
Organization: Computing Services Division, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
NNTP-Posting-Host: 129.89.7.4

In article <1992Nov18.055852.23273@williams.edu> 93jay@williams.edu (Jonathan Young) writes:
>I have long been frustrated by the built in calculator on the HP95,

>SO... being partially stupid and in posession of the HP ISV
>documentation (for an unrelated project) I am going to attempt to
>write a sysmgr compliant calculator/simple graph application during my
>next, long awaited stretch of free time.

>Any other suggestions?

Cmcalc and apcalc both on eddie.mit.edu have base conversion, however
both are integer only.  Both are intended for computer math only.

Associative arrays (like awk or perl) so data like a complete periodic
chart could be be stored and used in the manner of Au(w) for atomic
weight or Au(d) for density.  Perhaps the data could be stored in
a worksheet with named ranges.

Redefinable keyboard, or keyboard macros.  I really hate having to go
through menus, especially those rotating function key menus.  I can't
even set up a user key that would work consistantly.  Menus are okay,
as long as there is a more direct way to get to a function.

Ability to save a graph to a PCX file for really cool topcards :-).
There are also at least two draw programs for the 95 that can read PCX
files.

How about a simple way to squirt data between two machines?  Right now
only Filer and Comm can send or recieve data, and in files only.  How
about an IR pop stack so it ends up on the stack of the other machine?
It would be a great way for a group of people to work together on the
same problem.

Some sort of interaction with 123, either able to import/export
worksheets or even be able to directly get and put values into the
current 123 worksheet like HPCalc can.  I'm thinking of where I'd input
a long list of figures in either program and be able to dump to a
worksheet instead of some obscure format that neither program could
read easily.  I think HPCalc has something like this.

Although RPN is nice, I really miss fully algebraic entry.  Then entire
formula would be shown as entered, not evaluated as it's being entered
like HPCalc does (or make it a seperate mode).  Full line editing and
perhaps a way to save and recall formulas as well.

Although I don't have one, I'm know other people have an HP IR
printer.  Built in support for that would be nice.  All there is right
now is a PrintScreen driver.  Maybe a PostScript driver too.

Someone asked just recently how to transfer data from an HP-28 to to
the 95.  The INPRT utility available on the 48 has no counterpart on
the 95.  It would be useful for other HP calculators as well.

Slide rule mode, for people who have habits that die hard :-).  Note,
an old version of the X Window System xcalc did in fact have an analog
mode that popped up a slide rule, pretty accurate too I hear.

I don't ask for much, only Mathmatica in my pocket :-).

In the meantime there are some shareware MS-DOS scientific calculators
that I think will work on the 95.  Some have source code.  One is
specifically written for the 95.  I haven't had time to try them out.
Anybody who wants more information on them just ask.
--
<-:(= Anthony Stieber	anthony@csd4.csd.uwm.edu   uwm!uwmcsd4!anthony