Geeking Out - Calculators

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Written by Super User

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Sometimes I just have to geek out. Whether it is pulling my old 8-bit Atari's out of storage to play a game of MULE, or installing an ancient C (pre-ansi) compiler to really test my frustration levels, I enjoy geeking out.

Lately, I have come to use more frequently my tried and trusty HP-41CV calculator.  I got this from my father when I graduated from High School, and it has served me well for 29 years.  Back in 2006 I had it rebuilt (some batteries leaked and corroded the battery compartment), and have kept it on my desk ever since.  Instead of firing up the built in calculator on Windows (or my home machine, the Mac) I reach for this trusty friend.

I wrote a lot of programs for it in college and while I was a process engineer.  From titration calculations, to runge-kutta solutions for differential equations, my HP-41CV is a trusted friend.  Today, it really is just used for arithmetic, but it does feel comfortable in the hands.

I have long had an HP-15C app for my iPhone, but just the other day, I came across the HP-41CV app.  Naturally I had to buy it.  I am a geek.  I apologize to no-one.

Open Source Software, Boon or Bane

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Written by Geoffrey Anderson

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I am a big believer in using open source software for much of what I do (non-professionally).  I have long used Wordpress, and am now moving to Joomla for my online presence, and have other tools and utilities that I use from the Open Source realm. 

But all is not unicorns and kittens. While it is great that the OSS revolution is steamrolling forward, and I have complete access to all the source code and libraries I might need, there are some limitations. I should note that I am not a programmer.  I am a hack (note: not a hacker) by any measure.  I can follow instructions, am familiar with Unix and enough of web hosting to get a site up and running.  

But, going beyond the basics and you begin to see some chinks in the armor.  

•  Documentation is lagging.  I am prototyping a website for an non-profit (an ideal case for using OSS), and have selected Joomla! 2.5, the latest stable release.  But the documentation for this currently shipping and supported version is thin, and there are enough changes from 1.5 (the last stable release) that you really have to do some scratching.
• While there is a lot of information on the web for your perusal, it can be difficult to find specific, and related help for your issue.  In the past, and if you follow Slashdot, all you have to do is find the right maling list (or forum, or community), and ask your question.  Geeks will be there to help you.  This is not so easy, and I have found that the response is erratic, and sometimes condescending.  Being told to dig through a huge Javascript file is not a good answer (it may be the right answer, but I am not the right person to do such a task).
• Since the GPL forces the release of all source code, and related libraries, should you want to use some supported (i.e. someone who will respond to queries) components or add ons, you are nickled and dimed for all these "subscriptions".  There are some fabulous plugins and modules for Joomla!, and I have paid for many of them. I just wish there was a simpler vehicle to compensate a talented and dedicated contributor without having to have 30 or so subscriptions.

Read more: Open Source Software, Boon or Bane