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Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!ittvax!dcdwest!sdcsvax!sdcrdcf!hplabs!hp-pcd!daver
From: daver@hp-pcd.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.consumers
Subject: Re: Need a *smart* alarm clock
Message-ID: <7300003@hp-pcd.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 18-Jun-84 19:23:00 EDT
Article-I.D.: hp-pcd.7300003
Posted: Mon Jun 18 19:23:00 1984
Date-Received: Sat, 30-Jun-84 06:20:32 EDT
References: <3060@brl-tgr.UUCP>
Organization: Hewlett-Packard Portable Computer Division - Corvallis, OR
Lines: 24
Nf-ID: #R:brl-tgr:-306000:hpcvrd:7300003:000:1391
Nf-From: hpcvrd!daver    Jun 25 18:23:00 1984

I use an HP 41CX calculator for this function.  I can set an alarm for a 
specific time years in advance, if I want, and can have it repeat at regular
intervals after that.  I presently have 17 alarms set in my calculator, which
I carry in my trousers pocket, some of which repeat daily, some weekly (to
remind me of regular meetings, etc.) and some for a single event.  Each alarm
has an alphabetic message of up to 24 characters, or can run a program to do
almost anything.  For a single event, I usually set the alarm for 15 minutes 
before the time and have it repeat every 5 minutes.  When it beeps I can 
acknowledge the alarm by pressing the ON key without removing the unit from my 
pocket, and when I do the thing it is reminding me of I hit 2 keys to
permanently cancel the alarm.

In addition to the time functions, I use the calculator for general 
computation, as a "talking" clock when I'm in bed (hitting the ON key causes
it to beep the hour and nearest 10-minutes in two different tones so I can
find out what time it is without turning on a light or even turning around; an
alarm automatically runs the program which sets this up at midnight and another
cancels it at 8am), and for playing games when I'm bored.

The HP 75 and new HP110 Portable computers have similar, but more powerful,
capabilities, but they don't fit in my pocket.

Dave Rabinowitz
hplabs!hp-pcd!daver