Oh, and while we're at it -- HP should concentrate on one major function for each key with the others assignable by the user. That way, I'll know where to find the functions I use a lot instead of hunting accross the keyboard only to find it in some arcane menu location. And the screen needs much better i-phone like resolution. It needs to be in color and the comand menu needs to be full drop down and searchable with onscreen help so I can do a Taylor series or similar without hunting for TYLR or whatever they call it and then be forced to open a manual when I have a syntax problem.
Joe Colannino
Joe Colannino
-----Original message-----
From: Joseph Colannino <joecolannino@...>
To: 50g@yahoogroups.com
Sent: 2011 Apr, Sun, 24 15:34:52 GMT+00:00
Subject: Re: [50g] what happed? - A new direction ?[Keith Eric Fix:] Here's an idea: why don't we start designing end use specifications... and then request that HP build it?
Brilliant!
Full help menus would be a great addition. Also, the interface should be "portable" so that I can share work between my PC and my calculator. And sharing of files via USB or Bluetooth should be INTUITIVE, not the cryptic programming syntax that's required now. My 15C was a lot easier to program and to remember how to program. Why not sync the device with a PC and allow programming from the computer keyboard as well as the calculator? And quit messing with the layout... the + key needs to go at the bottom right and the enter key needs to be doublewide and moved away from the basic operators (× ÷ + -).
Joe Colannino
-----Original message-----From: Keith Fix <kefix@...>
To: 50g@yahoogroups.com
Sent: 2011 Apr, Sun, 24 14:46:29 GMT+00:00
Subject: Re: [50g] what happed? - A new direction?Actually, the 49 keypad quality was the biggest issue. The keys "broke" after about 5 years - much less time than most of us die-hard fans expected. The 50g corrected most of these quality problems, and the 48 line was great, but outdated in the end. There were also some issues with the mechanisms for storage, chips and chip emulators, programming languages, etc. Most HP engineers I know adopted the calculator after using RPN for a few years, then bought sub-standard HP calculatos to replace the old onesHP would be well served to start from the ground up and develop a new device that satisfies the technical requirements of scientific, engineering, and economic professionals. Something incorporating iPad, iPhone, and hard-coded advanced calculator functions would be ideal. And the keypad is a big deal. HP needs to discard the "consumer electronics" model and build the calculator to be an industrial tool. Perhaps core interface hardware with replacable processing cores / motherboards. As Joe suggests, QWERTY keyboards are the de facto standard for personal computers, and the mouse, while evolving, has been pretty static in basic function for about 30 years. Now we have touch-screens to add to the mix (most of which are two-finger operable), so it expands the possibilities further. Small would be nice, but an i-Pad equivalent screen (or perhaps half that) may also be acceptable.Another market to address is proctored academic and professional exams. It needs to be possible for a proctor to rapidly "lock-out" and verify compliance of a calculator for exam security. Put the core calculator function in the interface device, then detach it for the exam?While low price is a nice thing, Apple proved that fully-featured electonics can sell at the $500 price point, and since I own my own business, this is a VERY small expense compared to software subscription costs I pay. Maybe the core calculator interface could sold separately?Here's an idea: why don't we start designing end-use specifications for a calculator, build grass-roots support, and then request that HP build it?Keith Erick FixPrincipal EngineerRed Pepper Consulting, Inc.10201 W. Markham St.Suite 215Little Rock, AR 72205
From: Joseph Colannino <joecolannino@...>
To: 50g@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sat, April 23, 2011 11:24:58 PM
Subject: Re: [50g] what happed?
The problem with the 50G was the change in the position of the enter key. HP blew it with the change and underestimated customer resistance to it. Microsoft committed the same faux pas when it rearranged the Excel user interface. For the same reason, the qwerty keyboard remains popular despite its shortcomings. This lesson has been repeated so often that you would think HP would have figured it out. But it didn't, and the 50G has declined in popularity because of it.
Joe
-----Original message-----
From: Brian Denley <b.denley@...>Jennifer:
To: 50g@yahoogroups.com
Sent: 2011 Apr, Sun, 24 03:49:19 GMT+00:00
Subject: Re: [50g] what happed?
As are we all. The only calculators that even command high prices on Ebay
are the older HPs: the 41C line especially, or the 15, 16 C 'sideways'
calculators. The HP-25 was still my favorite!
Brian
http://home.comcast.net/~b.denley/index.html
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jennifer Usher"
To: 50g@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, April 23, 2011 9:15 PM
Subject: Re: [50g] what happed?
There may be some truth to that. I currently have emulators for the HP 48gx
(two actually), the HP 41CX, and an HP 16C on my iPhone. That is in
addition to several scientific calculator programs. Even HP itself has
started marketing an emulator for the HP 15C for the iPhone. I also have HP
48gx emulators on both my PC and my Mac. I bought my HP 50g because there
are times when I still want a standalone calculator, and well, because I am
a major geek.
Jennifer
On Apr 21, 2011, at 4:56 PM, Brian Denley wrote:
> ..or it might be that there IS no real calc market anymore.
> Brian Denley
> http://home.comcast.net/~b.denley/index.html
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Alan Golightly"
> To: 50g@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Thursday, April 21, 2011 7:45 PM
> Subject: Re: [50g] what happed?
>
> Not sure. The HP50G user base must be really small. I guess TI has the
> calc
> market sewn up.
>
> ________________________________
> From: Ray
> To: 50g@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Thursday, April 21, 2011 5:08 PM
> Subject: [50g] what happed?
>
> what happed to this site, no post in 3 mo.?
>
>
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