From: Doug Jones (djones@xcor.com)
Date: Wed Jan 30 2002 - 14:05:42 MST
Simon McClenahan wrote:
>
> From: "Doug Jones" <djones@xcor.com>
>
> > Harvey Newstrom wrote:
> > > tests your computer to see if you are infected only works on Internet
> > > Explorer with JavaScript enabled.
> >
> > ...which is why I still use good ol' Netscape 4.7 for browsing and
> > email- it's immune to the hacks used on IE and Outlurk. Once I find a
> > tool I like, I keep using it (looking at my 20-year-old HP 11C
> > calculator).
>
> If you're on a good thing, stick to it? What do you think about
> transhumanism then?
>
> I believe (although I don't practice as much as I would like) in early
> adoption of technology. Hanging on to the old for security reasons just
> addresses the symptoms of the issue, not the cause.
>
> Can't you find a more modern calculator that does the same job as the old
> one, plus more? Assuming that you can but choose not to, why would you not
> want to use more advanced calculator features?
I don't _need_ a more modern calculator- if I have a complex calculation
to make, I do it in a spreadsheet so that I can reuse the code later.
For things like converting a heat of combustion to a heat of formation,
doing it by hand with a calculator is just silly. I mostly use the
calculator for doing quick checks of simple math functions, like
dividing one flowmeter count into another to get a mixture ratio. I
have twenty years of reflexes tuned to this calculator keypad, a not
inconsiderable investment.
As for advanced features, the HP-11C is a programmable calculator with
two shift keys to provide 110 key equivalents- it doesn't do graphing or
automatic equation solving, but I don't want to rely on a handheld tool
without an audit trail for that anyway.
Like anything in life, one finds a working balance between useful tools
and innovation for innovation's sake. I'm currently working on three
projects which should lead to patents and new contributions in my field.
I don't need flashy toys to make me feel useful.
-- Doug Jones, Rocket Plumber XCOR Aerospace
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