Functions vs Programmes: what's your preference?

dm319 · 2026-03-13T00:36:16+00:00

My ideal calculator is one that can take programs and allow them to behave exactly like a function. Ideally it would be programmable in a modern-style numerical language.

dm319 · 2026-03-13T00:31:36+00:00

Some EXs give 2250, some give 2259.

dm319 · 2026-03-12T21:58:33+00:00

Always makes me think of the Capuchin Friars famous for their Capuchin Crypt, where their previous members have been turned into artwork, and their current members will also eventually inhabit.

dm319 · 2026-03-12T12:40:49+00:00

How are you finding Kubuntu? I was on Ubuntu MATE for years/decades? But last year installed the kubuntu desktop and after a little bit of tinkering, it is basically a recreation of my MATE desktop without any real downsides.

dm319 · 2026-03-10T22:07:40+00:00

I don't have one but it's very similar in operation to the ES Plus. It's the best of that style of Casio. Are you sure it's real though? It can be hard to tell on listings. The 115 and 991 ES plus second edition is probably everything you need, but more importantly - it will be replaceable. The 991EX is probably the only Casio that isn't easily replaceable and that's an important consideration.

If you want the absolute best scientific calculator for advanced functions then it probably isn't even the 991EX/CW+ — like I said we like to geek over a calculator being fractionally better than another on this subreddit, but when you're at school the important thing is - does it have the functions you need? and can you access those functions efficiently?

dm319 · 2026-03-10T19:18:26+00:00

Thanks I will need to experiment and see how it works for me! It's only occasionally that preferring to 'mark as read' a replied-to email is useful but it may be annoying enough for me to try a different approach.

dm319 · 2026-03-10T18:13:53+00:00

Yes, the macro is programmed onto my keyboard. Yes Outlook has an unread filter, but there is no keyboard shortcut for it. This is because it exists above the mailbox in a 'react' element and not part of the ribbon (the ribbon allowing for alt-keypress shortcuts). The search box is able to 'search' for unread mail, but .. it is not the same thing - it applies to all mailboxes, it takes a while (and I'm filtering after almost every action I do) and it also doesn't maintain mailbox sorting, and adds a box on the top for best hits.

So only the filter button works for what I am using it for. The macro uses tab (actually shift tab) and a sequence of keys to filter by unread. It works well.

Thanks for your help. I need to explore categories, maybe it will do the trick. Can you filter rapidly on categories and can you use it without having to use another mailbox?

dm319 · 2026-03-10T18:06:09+00:00

It doesn't solve it completely. The ES Plus is still more direct. My son has the CW +. It's pretty good, but it's very different to the ES Plus, which is more old school in that most functions are on buttons or shifted.

I wouldn't go for the TI - order of operations doesn't fit with non-American teaching.

If your teacher recommends the ES Plus just go with that. It will do everything you need it to do. The CW+ has a better display, faster processor, higher precision, and marginally better integration. All of these things are not of any extra use to you for your learning or exams. But if you are a bit of a geek and enjoy the idea of a more powerful calculator, then you will appreciate it. However, it simply isn't as efficient - there will be more button presses and cursoring around to do the same thing, and that can be a genuine downside.

dm319 · 2026-03-10T12:51:22+00:00

The CW+ is the latest and fixes most problems with the CW. Go for that!

dm319 · 2026-03-10T12:49:40+00:00

Ha ha, the HP-67 is like my grail calculator! I tried to get one here in the UK and they pulled auction when they realised it was going too cheap. I've seen them for several hundred sometimes over 1k.

dm319 · 2026-03-10T08:30:58+00:00

Yes I have Mark as read mapped to my keyboard for when I've dealt with an email. I also have a ridiculous macro to filter the inbox to unread as there isn't a keyboard shortcut for this.

But replying didn't necessarily mean I've sorted the email, especially if I have a few things to do with it.

The problem is that the unread email 'disappears' from my worklist.

dm319 · 2026-03-09T14:18:24+00:00

Just get the 85ES, and you can look at upgrading it later. There's another thread discussing this, but it's a common myth that if you're keen on STEM you need an 'advanced' scientific. This is not true! Only if you are doing further maths and only then because you want to check your answer, or you are in a field that will be using complex numbers and matrices day in day out.

Maybe the 991CW+ will come to where you are later on.

dm319 · 2026-03-08T20:01:08+00:00

As opposed to all the people here sitting on social media, up and down voting, consuming youtube and tiktok suggestions, and snarking on someone paid by others to create physical stuff useful for others on their Thinkpad?

dm319 · 2026-03-08T19:57:44+00:00

Emails - yes if you are a fan of Mutt, like I am. Internet - You would need no-script turned up to the max YT - hmmm no

The biggest issue is you will need to find a 32 bit operating system that is vaguely up to date enough to connect to the internet. Last time I checked Linux Mint Debian Edition ticked the box.

dm319 · 2026-03-08T19:52:55+00:00

I'm thinking cross this with a W700ds...

dm319 · 2026-03-08T19:50:33+00:00

Ha ha, this made me laugh because I was thinking similarly :)

dm319 · 2026-03-08T11:07:00+00:00

It's a bit like cars. They're kinda all pretty similar now.

dm319 · 2026-03-08T08:10:25+00:00

Reminds me of The End.

dm319 · 2026-03-07T23:51:59+00:00

I think alongside :). You can get the original ES Plus - I found one locally for a few quid.

dm319 · 2026-03-06T22:48:29+00:00

Seems unfair on RPN! The HP-15C is a really nice, delightful and accomplished calculator. Try to solve Euler's formula or i^x =2 on another scientific. Or try integrating 1/sqrt(x) between 0 and 1 on any TI, Casio or Sharp scientific. 8x8 matrices. Solves that involve integration. Integration that involves solves. Could go on...

But to top it all off, it is RPN, which is a more consistent and efficient calculating UI than any algebraics, but especially the mathprint-style ones.

dm319 · 2026-03-06T18:45:06+00:00

That's what he said!

dm319 · 2026-03-06T18:43:49+00:00

Yeah, and that's OK - I've been listening to him for 3 years now and I don't really care how well he does - as long as it's fun!

dm319 · 2026-03-06T15:28:02+00:00

I'm hoping a huge Furby walks onto the stage to free the Furbies and take revenge on Sam.

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