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From: akcs.falco@hpcvbbs.UUCP (Andrey Dolgachev)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.handhelds
Subject: Re: some more 48SX questions
Message-ID: <281a2c29:2946.1comp.sys.handhelds;1@hpcvbbs.UUCP>
Date: 28 Apr 91 02:40:05 GMT
References: <6723@acorn.co.uk>
Lines: 64

O.K>, I'll ask some of Andy Smith's questions:

>One of the things I use most is the base conversions, but I could not
>find
>these on the 48. Are they as easy to access on the 48 as they are on the
>28?

Yes, the 48 is a complete superset of the 28, and personally, I think
that every function is now easier to use, with the use of the hieracheal
menu structure.  The conversions can all be done with ne menu row which
is reached by pressing MATH and then BASE (I think, I can't remember the
names exactly, I always just stay in HEX)

>As I like to keep my display tidy, I make frequent use of the DROP key
>on
>the 28. This has been moved to a shifted position on the 48. Why? Can
>the
>DEL key take on the functionality of the DROP key?

The drop is in the shifted position, but if you are simply in stack mode,
with no command mode present, then you can just press the del key, and
the DROP is executed.  The same thing happens iwth the SWAP and GRAPH
keys.

>The brackets do not seem to be split on the 48 keyboard. How do you get
>nested brackets??

In order to conserve space, both the openign and closing things were put
on the sqame key.  So, if you press the bracket, parentheses, single or
double quote keys, you automotically get both, with your cursor in the
middle.  After you finish typing the middle, simply press the right arrow
key to move out.  ONce you get used to it, if feels much more comfortalb
eand easier and faster to use.

>How do you get lower case letters?

I'll answer that by explaining the HP keyboard.  There are two sets of
command keyboard sets, and one of alpha keys.  First, there is the
"normal" set of commands, which includes unshifted, right-shifted, and
left-shifted.  Second, there is the user-keyboard, which is like the
normal command keyset, including unshifted, right-shifted and
left-shifted, except that the user can assign programs, commands,
objects, etc. to each of the keys.  Third, there is the alpha keyboard. 
Unshifted usually means that a letter, number or opertaor appears, in
other words the symbol on the key.  For example, the upper left key is A,
the + key is +, the 9 key is 9, etc.  Left-shifted gives you the
lowercase letters, along with more symbols.  Right-shifted gives you the
greek letters, and even more symbols.  LC lock is reached by pressing
right-shift Alpha in alpha mode.  There are a lot more symbols on the
keyboard of the 48 than the 28, and there is a handy reference guide on
the back of the user-pamphlet which fits in to the 48's case.

>Anyone know anything about issue F

Sorry, don't get it, what you mean?

I have had a 28C, a 28S, played with a 41, and other HP's, and the 48 is
def.  the most awesome calculator (with the 95 being the most awesome
handhelds).  Also, there is now the 48S, instead of the 48SX, which has
everything the 48SX has, but no slots, and a retail price of $250
compared to $350 which means it should really cost about $190 or less. 
Trust me on this, get a 48, it has been described as the perfected
version of the 28 and 41.
  
    --Falco