Path: utzoo!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!att!linac!uwm.edu!wuarchive!sdd.hp.com!hp-pcd!hpcvra.cv.hp.com!rnews!hpcvbbs!akcs.jdn
From: akcs.jdn@hpcvbbs.UUCP (John D. Nguyen)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.handhelds
Subject: Re: RE Rom releases. READ THIS AND QUIT COMPLAINING
Message-ID: <27dd1b94:2142.3comp.sys.handhelds;1@hpcvbbs.UUCP>
Date: 12 Mar 91 18:40:07 GMT
References: <3532@gmuvax2.gmu.edu> <1991Feb21.224141.28406@bigsur.uucp>
Lines: 27

Dave,
I bought a 48SX Revision D, and I think the bugs had something to do
with symbolic complex numbers.  I'm not sure, this is what I've heard
through another person.  I've done complex number computations and as far
as I can tell, the anwers were correct.  So, I wouldn't worry too much
about doing bad on an exam because your HP failed you.  Unless, of course
you do a lot of symbolic as oppose to numeric work involving complex
numbers.  Again, I don't really know if this problem is for sure.

I think Bob Peraino (the person who started on the subject of people
"whining") is missing the point when he stated that he didn't expect
software company to give him free upgrades just because the latest
version is better.  First, the 48SX is not software, it's a calculator
when you strip all the fancy I/O, displays, etc. out of it.  People
depend on this tool to be absolutely correct.  Since HP knows (or should
anyway) how much harder it is to replace the firmware inside the 48SX,
they should've waited.  The calculator would not only be "better", it
would be more ACCURATE.  This is the reason why people are complaining,
not necessarily about whether or not it's fancier, but rather whether
or not they can whole-heartedly trus the functions that it was advertised
to do.  And if that can be construed as whining, then by all means,
count me in as one of the "whiners".  HP didn't do it right, and I hope
this doesn't mean that they'll be mum and keep secrets about future
releases.  I hope they will learn from us users and release a more
sound 48SX (or a newer calc) in the future.

John Nguyen