Re: A Serious Scientific Instrument Message #22 Posted by Vieira, LC (Brazil) on 7 June 2007, 10:50 a.m., in response to message #1 by Walter B
Hi;
all 'n all we want either to present our best shot about what we call the best calculator ever or we are getting back to rebuilt an old HP successful calculator. Many attempts to get such combinations failled so far, and HP (the ACTUAL HP) offered a bunch of solutions that worked in many areas.
From time to time in this forum we experience the chance to answer to surveys about our favourite HP calculator (In some surveys, our favourite calculator despite brand). Well, if there is such unique model that satisfies all needs, no survey is needed, right?
When the HP28C was introduced, I felt as if HP was ahead of time, showing us what we WOULD need and never considered possible. The whole 48/49/50 series was a consequence of such vision. At that time, I wrote a book about such changes ('Da HP41 para a HP48', or 'From the HP41 to the HP48') and I intended to guide former RPN users into the new RPL usage/programming paradigm.
I feel as if the message has been lost, though. Not that I disagree with the RPN-driven models, I actually believe RPN helps students to understand calculus subjects. It is something like the abacus users when they actually see it (as a visual reference) instead of touching the device itself; reasoning over the RPN stack and operating structure seems to force the brain to understand the problem and find a solution in a different perspective. I remember that some classmates of mine actually got the main ideas in the many subjects after trying them out with an RPN calculator. Creating a program to solve the problems was a passage to understanding both problem and solution. I actually experienced this.
Did not have the chance to go ahead with RPL, because I was no longer a student when the HP48SX was introduced. The HP28 was not so often seen, but I remember joining a group of about ten students with HP28C´s that wanted to know how to use it the best way possible in algebraic environment. My only and last HP28C class...
Time has gone and now HP seems to listen to us, users, prior to introduce a new product. Interesting, we all had to wait till HP decided to show us what it was hiding that was astonishing, new and desirable. Now we are trying to get from HP what we believe is mostly important, and there are many close, yet different proposals. If I'm there I'd be confused, because it seems to me that HP would need to offer some different versions of the HP35S to satisfy some of us. I myself would add a few suggestions, but based on the gigantic thread that followed the first appearence of the HP35S in this forum, I felt I'd not add significant contribution, though.
Please, read this as my private view of the rare chance we are (supposedly?) having to interfere in HP's choice of features to be offered in a new calculator. If there are so too many suggestions, maybe none of them will be caught, neither considered, and frustration may arise after the sensation that we were not heard after all.
I'd not be surprised if the HP35S is introduced exactly as it was shown in the first place, no changes applied. And we know what happened with the first HP12C Platinum and also with the HP49G+. Both carried many problems and had a negative impact, being replaced by their new versions.
I think we should support fewer suggestions, only one if possible, a consensual proposal. I do not know which one, because I have my own needs for a personal computing device, but I'd surely try to support the one with more people supporting.
I just want a new, good-looking, reliable, resourcefull RPN calculator. It seems to me that the HP35S will match my needs.
Sorry writing too much... (did not spell check, though)
Suggestions? Flames? Blames? Etc?
Cheers.
Luiz (Brazil)
Edited: 7 June 2007, 11:01 a.m.
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