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HP Forum Archive 20

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XEQ vs GSB - what am I missing?
Message #1 Posted by Thomas Radtke on 29 Nov 2011, 1:22 p.m.

Spices use GSB, the 41 XEQ, the Voyagers GSB, later models XEQ again. I think both lables can be justified, but why was there a change and why do Voyagers broke with the new convention introduced with the 41?

Does anyone here know?

Thanks,

Thomas

      
Re: XEQ vs GSB - what am I missing?
Message #2 Posted by M. Joury on 29 Nov 2011, 2:00 p.m.,
in response to message #1 by Thomas Radtke

The only difference I can see is that with the 41 (and 42) XEQ does more than just execute a subroutine. With most of the other HP calculators GSB does exactly what it says (Go SuBroutine). With the HP41 XEQ is used to execute subroutines as with GSB but it is also used to execute internal commands so GSB would not be an accurate description for what XEQ does on the 41. I can't hazard a guess as to why later models (other than the 42) go back to using XEQ when they really are using it more like a GSB.

Just my $0.02 worth.

-Marwan

            
Re: XEQ vs GSB - what am I missing?
Message #3 Posted by Egan Ford on 29 Nov 2011, 2:39 p.m.,
in response to message #2 by M. Joury

Quote:
I can't hazard a guess as to why later models (other than the 42) go back to using XEQ when they really are using it more like a GSB.
Because XEQ looks totally bad-ass on the keyboard. To the uninitiated it has a certain mystique, like the big red button under the glass. The ultimate power of your calculator is unleashed via XEQ.

And sometimes you can get away with using it as a scrabble word (You know, "zeek", it's a mathematical word, do you really want to challenge a guy with more calculators than first dates?). People think twice about challenging such a powerful word. Keep a straight face and you might pull it off. YMMV. :-)

                  
Re: XEQ vs GSB - what am I missing?
Message #4 Posted by M. Joury on 29 Nov 2011, 2:50 p.m.,
in response to message #3 by Egan Ford

LOL

                  
Re: XEQ vs GSB - what am I missing?
Message #5 Posted by Les Wright on 29 Nov 2011, 5:47 p.m.,
in response to message #3 by Egan Ford

I'm gonna paint in the XEQ lettering with red marker on my wp34s overlays to make the calc look seriously badass.

                  
Re: XEQ vs GSB - what am I missing?
Message #6 Posted by Eddie W. Shore on 30 Nov 2011, 8:44 a.m.,
in response to message #3 by Egan Ford

Quote:

Because XEQ looks totally bad-ass on the keyboard. To the uninitiated it has a certain mystique, like the big red button under the glass. The ultimate power of your calculator is unleashed via XEQ.

And sometimes you can get away with using it as a scrabble word (You know, "zeek", it's a mathematical word, do you really want to challenge a guy with more calculators than first dates?). People think twice about challenging such a powerful word. Keep a straight face and you might pull it off. YMMV. :-)

XEQ also sounds executive.

      
Re: XEQ vs GSB - what am I missing?
Message #7 Posted by Eddie W. Shore on 30 Nov 2011, 8:43 a.m.,
in response to message #1 by Thomas Radtke

In my experience, XEQ and GSB work in the same way. I guess they wanted something different for the Voyagers (?).

            
Re: XEQ vs GSB - what am I missing?
Message #8 Posted by M. Joury on 30 Nov 2011, 10:05 a.m.,
in response to message #7 by Eddie W. Shore

Yes and no. XEQ on the 41 and 42 has additional functionality in that it is also responsible for executing any non-keyboard (or for that matter keyboard) function. For example XEQ ALPHA FRC ALPHA. This is NOT a subroutine call and has a distinctly different usage from a GSB on a Voyager. Mind you, the 32S and it's derivatives do use XEQ in exactly the same manner as GSB.

Cheers,

-Marwan

      
Re: XEQ vs GSB - what am I missing?
Message #9 Posted by Andrés C. Rodríguez (Argentina) on 30 Nov 2011, 9:18 a.m.,
in response to message #1 by Thomas Radtke

It was a good thing that they don't choose "CALL" as an alternative for "GSB" or "XEQ", otherwise a lot of calculators may be taken as cell phones... :-)

            
Re: XEQ vs GSB - what am I missing?
Message #10 Posted by Gerson W. Barbosa on 30 Nov 2011, 10:25 a.m.,
in response to message #9 by Andrés C. Rodríguez (Argentina)

Agreed! This might not avoid this kind of mistake, though:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hShY6xZWVGE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdROuQHGW80&feature=related (in French)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5e1vfaST2I (in German)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BKtUJttqxg (in Italian)

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