From: MLINDROOS@finabo.abo.fi (Marcus Lindroos INF)
Subject: Re: CallForDiscussion: A*BETTER* HP95LX?
Organization: Abo Akademi University, Finland
Date: Wed, 14 Oct 1992 12:44:22 GMT
X-News-Reader: VMS NEWS 1.23

In <1992Oct07.204119.152524@zeus.calpoly.edu> claudius@zeus.calpoly.edu writes:

> 
> Some easy to implement ideas that would also be nice to see:
>  
> *  Buttons that are removable [and a keyboard driver that is programmable,
>    obviously]

It would be nice if there were several different keyboard options available
and if 95LX owners could just return their machines to have the keyboard
plus relevant circuits replaced. Hey, if it is possible to replace the entire
motherboard when upgrading to 1Mb - why not do the same to the keyboard?
---
A Psion-3 keyboard (=larger but fewer keys arranged like on a standard PC [TAB,
"@" in their correct places]) would be a better option than the current 95LX
keypad - for SOME tasks! I agree that having a separate numeric keypad is
better for Lotus 1-2-3 and the calculator, but not for using the memo editor. 
 
> *  A removable overlay [the plastic sheet around the keys] so if you
>    reorganize your keyboard you can change your overlay also.
>  
> *  More correct alignment between the function keys and the f1-f10 on the
>    bottom of the display.  [It's pretty darn close, but the keys are about 2mm
>    to the right of the display's F1-F10 readouts.]

Anyone for moving the entire row of function keys to the area directly below
the display?! It makes sense as there would then be room for additional 
and/or larger keys. 
After all, the Casio B.O.S.S. and Sharp Wizard have touch keys below or
to the right of the screen. If the display is widened to 150mm, there's room 
for all twelve function keys as well. 
> 
> *  A second serial port [4-pin also] so you could possibly use a mouse/keyboard
>    in one and a modem in another.

Hm, might make the unit even more expensive.
 
> *  A VOLUME KNOB.  I hate having to enter into the setup to change the damn
>    volume.
> 
> *  A brightness knob. [Not as important...]

Neither is important. The volume is always turned off on my unit anyway, and
brightness can be adjusted by pressing ON and + or -.
 
> Things I think aren't too hot of an idea:
> 
> *  Wordperfect - a big editor, more functional but it would increase the price
>    of the portable considerably.  There are more useful things you could get
>    for the increase in price.

I agree. It should be an OPTION, but not a mandatory one like Lotus 1-2-3.
 
> Some things I can see being done:
> 
> *  a mouse driver and mouse interface for the software [no hardware changes
>    needed except roms]

Hm... Not a stupid idea, perhaps the scheduler should be able to store and read
PCX-entries as well?! You could draw and store diagrams, crude drawings and 
the like.
> 
> *  a terminal emulator rewrite that would use the graphics mode to show 80x24
>    and then allow selecting sections and zooming in.
> 
> *  an xtree-like filer
> 
> *  a better RPN calculator

An improved calculator would be far too expensive, but it would be great to
have an optional HP48 ROM card.
---
Everett Kaser, are you listening? Is there any reason why the entire display
can't be upgraded to a higher resolution? As we have seen, a 150mm-wide 480*128
display would be a better (if expensive) choice as we could display 80 columns 
on it.
*THEORETICALLY*, replacing the entire top half of the 95LX, the chips, routines
in ROM (=such as a revised Setup supporting several text modes) and circuits 
that control the display with improved technology should be
possible. I think I would be willing to shell out an additional $700 if HP
could take my old 95LX and upgrade the screen for me. Any technical problems
why a larger display won't work? 

> 
> Some of these may already be out there, and actually you should theoretically
> already be able to plug in a mouse into the serial port with an adapter...just
> haven't got the guts to try it out.
> -- 
> ---King Claudius---                                   claudius@zeus.calpoly.edu