bp@pixar.uucp (Bruce Perens) (07/23/88)
Why, Bruce naively asked, doesn't the 28S have a "supertwist" LCD? Too
expensive? Unreasonable power supply requirements? They're wrong for this
kind of application? I bet it requires too high a voltage, right?
OK HP, if you want my bucks, next time I want these additions to the 28S
feature set:
1. Some way to send input from another computer. It doesn't have
to be fast, I just want to be able to back the thing up and
upload/download 1K or so of data per day. Although if you made
it fast enough, the 28S would be good for remote data entry.
But then, you have another machine for that market, right?
2. A supertwist LCD, if there aren't good technical reasons
against it.
I don't want to have to buy a (yuk!) psion in addition to my HP calc.
Bruce Perens
another computer junkie
pixar!bp
Usenet: {sun,ucbvax}!pixar!bp Phone: 415-258-8167
MCIMail: pixar (attention Bruce Perens)
Telex: 6502952114 (attention Bruce Perens)squires@hpcvlx.HP.COM (Matt Squires) (07/26/88)
/ hpcvlx:comp.sys.hp / bp@pixar.uucp (Bruce Perens) / 10:39 am Jul 22, 1988 / > OK HP, if you want my bucks, next time I want these additions to the 28S > feature set: > 1. Some way to send input from another computer. It doesn't have > to be fast, I just want to be able to back the thing up and > upload/download 1K or so of data per day. I agree completely. The fact that the 28S has no external input feature is a gross oversight in my opinion. I think part of the power of the HP-41 is the expansion slots in the rear. People can buy memory upgrades, specific utilities (like Caluclus, etc.), and modems (yes, modems) for the HP-41. This is not possible on the "new and improved" 28S. I think there are enough examples in real life to demonstrate that any sufficiently powerful computing system has to be able to bi-directionally communicate with the outside world. (look at the success of the Apple 2, the failure of the original Macintosh vs the MacSE and Mac2, and the enormous success of the HP-41.) Another thing I liked about the old (series 10) HP calculators was their solid buttons. Sometimes I press a button on my 28S and the key connection is not made (this usualy happens witht the * key). Of course, I didn't have to worry about my ``bucks''. HP gave a 28S to each of their SEED (co-op) summer students. > Bruce Perens > another computer junkie > pixar!bp mcs Disclaimer: These are my opinions, and mine alone. In no way do they represent the policies of my employer, Hewlett Packard Company.