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DB48X: High Performance Scientific Calculator, Reinvented

48calc.org

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Re: DB48X: High Performance Scientific Calculator, Reinvented

#51

Post by topspin »

gompertz wrote: post #19
topspin wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Seems like a really nice effort. Does it? Another powerful calculating engine trapped behind a skeuomorph interface? Here[1] is a really nice effort that, sadly, hasn't been updated in 14 years and only runs on Windows. It's a wonderful 606kB math REPL that can probably do everything DB48X can do, except it foregoes all the 1970's portable calculator nonsense, making it about a thousand times more useful. I have a…

Thanks this is a great recommendation - runs perfect in Wine. There definitely seems to be a habit with developers making calculators that still fall into a 70s form factor. This is a great departure.

I really do want to clone that thing, except cross platform, and enhanced with 64 bit native math. I want the same exact REPL calculator and function library running natively and starting instantly from a no-install binary on every platform I might ever touch.

Re: DB48X: High Performance Scientific Calculator, Reinvented

#53

Post by 0x1ceb00da »

jwr wrote: post #26

The 48G was a really good calculator, but only after loading additional software. The HP50g that came much later is better in every respect, except possibly for the smaller "ENTER" key (and people used to 48G will have to change some habits and possibly redefine some keys…). Incidentally, many young people (yes, I know how that sounds) do not know how useful a good engineering calculator can be and do not want to lea…

> No, this is not replaced by typing "python" (or "bc", or anything else, really) at your command prompt.

Why?

Re: DB48X: High Performance Scientific Calculator, Reinvented

#54

Post by 0x1ceb00da »

tivert wrote: post #33
ninalanyon wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> No, this is not replaced by typing "python" (or "bc", or anything else, really) at your command prompt. Why not? At least I can easily copy the results and the code to a document which avoids transcription errors. Or do you mean that there simply isn't a program that has the functions you use?

>> Incidentally, many young people (yes, I know how that sounds) do not know how useful a good engineering calculator can be and do not want to learn how to use one. They are missing out. Yes, there is a steep learning curve, but the rewards are significant if you do any amount of calculation in your hobby or work. No, this is not replaced by typing "python" (or "bc", or anything else, really) at your command prompt.…

We need a concrete example.

Re: DB48X: High Performance Scientific Calculator, Reinvented

#55

Post by sbdhzjd »

I have it installed on my DM42. Its nice, but I dont like two things:

- Where's the apostrophe (equiv. to quote in lisp)? That should be an easily accessible key not buried in a menu.

- Why did he swap the log keys?

I also wish the HP48's steq interface to plot existed, but whatever.

Re: DB48X: High Performance Scientific Calculator, Reinvented

#57

Post by sbdhzjd »

anyfoo wrote: post #5

Seems great. How does this compare to Free42? https://thomasokken.com/free42/

Free42 is more faithful to the original 42 than this is to the 48. Free42 also has an infinite stack hack which is a nice bridge to those accustomed to the RPL.

This is annoying to installe and not really completed (this is a much much larger endeavor than the 42). Its also very disorienting at first until you figure out the UC

That said, its good enough that I use it on my swisimicro rather than my 48s because the screen is much better

Re: DB48X: High Performance Scientific Calculator, Reinvented

#58

Post by [deleted] »

0x1ceb00da wrote: post #53
jwr wrote: post #26

The 48G was a really good calculator, but only after loading additional software. The HP50g that came much later is better in every respect, except possibly for the smaller "ENTER" key (and people used to 48G will have to change some habits and possibly redefine some keys…). Incidentally, many young people (yes, I know how that sounds) do not know how useful a good engineering calculator can be and do not want to lea…

> No, this is not replaced by typing "python" (or "bc", or anything else, really) at your command prompt. Why?

[deleted]

Re: DB48X: High Performance Scientific Calculator, Reinvented

#60

Post by bankcust08385 »

jwr wrote: post #26

The 48G was a really good calculator, but only after loading additional software. The HP50g that came much later is better in every respect, except possibly for the smaller "ENTER" key (and people used to 48G will have to change some habits and possibly redefine some keys…). Incidentally, many young people (yes, I know how that sounds) do not know how useful a good engineering calculator can be and do not want to lea…

The HP 48GX got me through from high school college prep to EE/CS. I also happen to own an HP 48 overhead projector display and a thermal printer. Now, I just need an overhead projector to even use (the former). Sharing software was the killer app of the HP 48 G series, and the app that turned the serial IR port into a universal learning remote was a pranksters' dream because the IR LED was so overpowered.
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