Two new Datafile articles online (PDF format) Message #1 Posted by Valentin Albillo on 19 Apr 2007, 8:39 p.m.
Hi, all
I've just updated my HP calc web site to include two additional Datafile articles written by me, freely downloadable in PDF format, namely:
"HP-71B Sudoku Generator & Coach"
This completes my Sudoku Trilogy with a 14-page article featuring a Sudoku Generator & Coach which can
generate an essentially infinite number of puzzles per the user's specifications,
including number of empty places, symmetries and, optionally, guaranteed
uniqueness and solvability without guessing ever being necessary, in a fully
ergonomic, printable format. The coach part can give appropriate hints of various
types, one by one, guaranteed to be deductible by the user in the given order, either
fully completing the puzzle or stopping midway, both for the self-generated
puzzless and externally provided ones.
"Long Live the HP-25 !"
7-page article to commemorate the HP-25, my first HP calculator ever and one of
the most memorable classics ever made. The article includes some fond personal
remembrances of those golden times, as well as a thorough explanation of why the
HP-25 made such an impact back then, all of it conveniently laced with two
awesome programs written in the 70's by two enthusiastic youths, namely my friend
Fernando del Rey and myself. Single-stepping through the code is a revealing
experience, where you can see what can be done in less than 40 steps and how
everything fits together and works as if by magic.
and last but not least ...
"Boldly Going - Identifying Constants"
This is my latest published Datafile article, which isn't available
online but featured in the current Datafile issue, V26N2 pp24-37. It's a 14-page article which includes a truly awesome (if simple) program which allows ye goode olde HP-71B to perform some rather impressive 'symbolic' feats. The program does not require any additional ROMs or files, just a bare bones HP-71B, and can be converted to any other suitably fast HP model or emulator with minimum effort.
Have a look at the very first page of the article which tells it all (the full 14-page article boasts more than 40 worked out examples, including the five shown in this first page, as well as three detailed extensions, the last being an 'exercise' for the reader, solution included ! :-)
That's all. Hope you enjoy the two new uploaded articles and
Best regards from V.
Edited: 20 Apr 2007, 7:33 a.m.
Re: Two new Datafile articles online (PDF format) Message #2 Posted by Valentin Albillo on 22 Apr 2007, 1:32 p.m., in response to message #1 by Valentin Albillo
Hi all,
My HP calc web site has had over 400 hits in the last two days, which is many times the usual rate, so thanks a lot for your interest in my articles.
And of course, any and all comments are most welcome.
Best regards from V.
Re: Two new Datafile articles online (PDF format) Message #3 Posted by Gerson W. Barbosa on 22 Apr 2007, 2:14 p.m., in response to message #2 by Valentin Albillo
Hello Valentin,
I am particularly fond of the "Long Live the HP-XX !" series articles. I am glad you keep on producing them. Thanks a lot!
Gerson.
Re: Long Live ! Series Message #4 Posted by Valentin Albillo on 22 Apr 2007, 2:59 p.m., in response to message #3 by Gerson W. Barbosa
Hi, Gerson:
Thank you very much for your unfailing interest in my humble productions, really much appreciated.
As for the "Long Live Series", the following articles have already appeared published in Datafile, though still not available as online PDF downloads:
Long Live the HP-34C !
Long Live the HP-71B !
Long Live the HP-35 !
and another one is already written but not yet sent for publication, namely "Long Live the HP-67 !".
Unlike Wlodek, I do not intend to cover every HP calculator under the sun nor limit myself exclusively to HP calculators. I may, for instance, write "Long Live" articles about some outstanding ROM or peripheral, as well as some nice HP microcomputers, such as the HP-85.
But all in all, it won't be a very long series, just the models I know best and like the most.
Best regards from V.
Re: Two new Datafile articles online (PDF format) Message #5 Posted by GE on 24 Apr 2007, 4:07 a.m., in response to message #2 by Valentin Albillo
Thank you for those articles. And I am still wondering why I'm not a Datafile subscriber yet...
Re: Two new Datafile articles online (PDF format) Message #6 Posted by Valentin Albillo on 24 Apr 2007, 7:36 a.m., in response to message #5 by GE
Hi, GE:
GE wrote:
"Thank you for those articles. And I am still wondering why I'm not a Datafile subscriber yet... "
Thanks to you for your kind words, GE, much appreciated.
Actually, encouraging words like that do wonders to provide the necessary motivation to try and write new articles. Otherwise, imagine how one would feel if, after spending most of the scarce free time available in a whole month to develop and write down a full 14-page article (program included), one would then get no feedback whatsoever, be it positive or negative. It would leave quite an 'empty' feeling and a strong urge to allocate time to more rewarding endeavours ... :-)
As for not being a Datafile subscriber yet, unless you've tried to and there were some problems while processing your subscription, I would encourage you to become one: the cost is truly minimal, you'll be supporting the last great HP fan magazine out there, and the very best part is you'll find yourself eagerly awaiting for your issue every other month, reliving that wonderful feeling we had back in our youth, in the golden PPC days.
Which is more, you could even consider submitting your own articles and comments, the more the merrier. Meanwhile, my very next "Boldly Going" series article is really going to both break new grounds and prove immensely valuable in actual use, I'm really proud of it. Stay tuned !
Best regards from V.
Re: Two new Datafile articles online (PDF format) Message #7 Posted by Tony Duell on 27 Apr 2007, 1:48 p.m., in response to message #6 by Valentin Albillo
I have thought long and hard about posting this, but I really can't let it pass.
Quote:
As for not being a Datafile subscriber yet, unless you've tried to and there were some problems while processing your subscription, I would encourage you to become one: the cost is truly minimal, you'll be supporting the last great HP fan magazine out there, and the very best part is you'll find yourself eagerly awaiting for your issue every other month, reliving that wonderful feeling we had back in our youth, in the golden PPC days.
If you consider the cost to be 'truely minimal' and you approve of supporting HPCC, then why don't YOU pay the membership fee each year rather than convincing the committee to give you free membership in exchange for articles.
Many other members write articles and still pay the membership fee. Others put time and effort into the club in other ways -- and still pay the membership fee.
Go back to the main exhibit hall