Sarah LibmanJul 20, 2023
Hey lovely Mastodon folk. I've just released an HP-35, HP-45, HP-80 simulator called HP-1973 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the HP-45 calculator. (Free) standalone versions for Mac and WIndows (no need for any Python installation or knowledge) & Python source for Linux. It's been a coding marathon, so it'd mean a lot to me if you could boost this post, so it gets in front of the right people. Download here: https://sarahkmarr.com/retrohp1973.html Enjoy. #retrocomputing #calculators #python #coding #rpn
Show threadSarah LibmanJul 20, 2023
Here are the various parts of the HP-1973 window. The ROM map, keyboard and list pane can all be independently hidden or shown. Download: https://sarahkmarr.com/retrohp1973.html #retrocomputing #calculators #python #coding #rpn
Show threadSarah LibmanJul 20, 2023
HP-1973 comes with an awful, awful lot of help. Like a _lot_. Really. Loads. Download: https://sarahkmarr.com/retrohp1973.html #retrocomputing #calculators #python #coding #rpn
Show threadSarah LibmanJul 20, 2023
Plus, if you don't like the default colours, HP-1973 has seven included themes. Mastodon types might like "Litmus"... Download: https://sarahkmarr.com/retrohp1973.html #retrocomputing #calculators #python #coding #rpn
Show threadDuncan MurraySep 9, 2023
@SarahKL This is fascinating. I was reading up about the Cordic algorithm recently - is it possible to see the Cordic algorithm in action with this?
Show threadSarah LibmanSep 9, 2023
@dm319 It's running the original ROM code, and that uses Cordic, so by using stepping mode and following the code/memory contents, yes, that should be possible, if a little tricky.
Show threadDuncan MurraySep 9, 2023
@SarahKL Wow, very cool. I suspect I need more understanding to figure it out, but maybe one day I will and demonstrate it with your emulator! I just put in a bid for a HP-67 - the people who made these machines are geniuses.
Show threadSarah Libman
@dm319 They are! You can see their brilliance and their clear love for what they were doing in the hardware and software. There's a page on the web specifically about the HPs and Cordic: googling should turn it up. Good luck with the '67 bid!
Sep 9, 2023 at 11:42amMetatext
Show threadDuncan MurraySep 9, 2023
@SarahKL I also find it fascinating that these processors were using decimal down to the CPU level. Sadly didn't get the HP-67 (it was for parts but still went for a lot).
Show threadSarah LibmanSep 9, 2023
@dm319 Yeah, 4-bit binary coded decimal in the registers. It's get harder and harder to get old HPs for anything affordable. (Although the Facebook group seems full of US folk finding them for 99ยข in estate sales.)
Show threadDuncan MurraySep 9, 2023
@SarahKL Ha ha, that hurts!! I really don't know at what point in my life I suddenly developed a very strong affection for those trapezoid keys. They are quite rare in the UK - have never seen an HP in the wild in use around here. Maybe HP never marketed to the UK as we were too poor!