For those who are sick of calculators

[Alex Franke]

Genius! I love it!

[charliex]

I doubt I would even remotely remember how to use more than the basic functions of a slide rule. I didn't use it much in the late 60's and 70's then I got a Sharp EL-5100 Scientific calculator in 1980 and I've never missed the slider. I still have the EL-5100 but the display is turning dark and the first few digits are hard to see. Unlike the slide rule, I don't have the heart to dispose of it.

I remember reading an article in the summer of '72 that four-function (+-*/ only) calculators would drop to $100 by Christmas.

Now only 38 years later I just purchased a new Sharp scientific calculator with 535 different scientific functions for $17.00. Now I'm what's out of date. I hardly remember what 20% of the functions are for or how to use them. I just started a Algebra I for Dummies book and am beginning to think I've forgotten more than I ever knew.

[BobSch]

I hardly remember what 20% of the functions are for or how to use them. I just started a Algebra I for Dummies book and am beginning to think I've forgotten more than I ever knew.

They say 80% of people only use 20% of the functions in most computer programs. I suspect the same is true of calculators.

[pelligrini]

I loved my EL-5100. I finally quit using it about a year ago as it is having power problems. I can't tell you how many times I superglued the plastic case back together.

The long display, and programmable features were great. Back when I was doing some work for a surveyor I had it programed for doing chord length calculations. I could knock out the answers way before the surveyor could with his HP.

Wow, there's one on Ebay that at $76 now... with 4 days to go http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=220668521205