Calculators was Re: Delay lines - test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org

21 Mar 1998

At 01:21 AM 3/21/98 -0600, you wrote:
...

I know people collect calculators, but I just can't imagine how it can
bring the same kind of satisfaction as computer collecting.  You can't
really hack a calculator.  They don't lend themselves very well to
restoration efforts.  They can't do many tricks.  And few of them have any
sort of personality  
   Have you ever tried a HP 41?  How does up to 961 external devices of
nearly every descrptions grab you?  That's just one of the capabilities of
the HP-41 using the HP-IL interface.  I currently have a 41 running a HP
logic analyzer!

(OK, I'll admit that HP tries pretty hard in this
...
 area). 
   They did a good job too :-)
...

Has anybody ventured a definition of computer that allows us to weed out
mere calculators?  How about:

* must be programmable
* must be general purpose
* must have alphanumeric input capabilites
* must have alphanumeric display capabilites 
  The HP-41, 71, 75 and all the newer ones fit this description.
...

Unfortunately, this would mean that an Altair isn't a computer until you
add a terminal, but it keeps those pesky HP-65's out of the group.

-- Doug 
  Joe