HHC 2006 Update #1

[Richard Nelson]

Hello Everybody,

 

HHC 2005 was a great conference.  HP actively participated and Cryille
even gave a more technical presentation.  We managed our first group
photo and it looked like we leveled out in the downward attendance slope
curve.

 

A big issue that many (especially non-calculator) people question is the
future of calculators with respect to convergence.  The cell phone
manufacturers have a gigantic market and they are always looking for
additional functions to add to a cell phone.  Cameras are very common.
PDA manufacturers recognize the threat to their market and they have
added a cell phone to their products.  Wide band networks add to the mix
and movie clips are being touted as "needed" by cell phone users.  Does
the cell phone have to get larger?  This convergence of products is only
the most recent chapter of what many of us have known for two decades,
and represents the technology path towards the ultimate people's
personal computer, PPC.  :-)

 

This is the setting as we approach HHC 2006.  Casio is still promoting
and selling the Classpad 300 into many schools outside of the US.  HP
was too far ahead with its Xpander.  We got the inside scoop on them
both at HHC 2003. TI is test marketing the new Nspire high end education
machine in Germany.  SAT training/testing machines are still being
promoted by Franklin and others.  Home brew calculators are making the
rounds in several technical publications.

 

Here is how I see the issues.

 

1.  Is there room for another true generation of high end calculators?
(Personal view, yes indeed).

2.  How is the educational "demand" going to affect this next
generation?  (Personal view, immensely)

3.  When may we expect new machines that are truly in this category?
(Personal view, we will have a clue at HHC 2006)

4.  Do we need a level of machine such as the HP-15C, HP 42S, etc.?
(Personal view, yes)

5.  Are Hewlett-Packard User Community, HPUC, Projects still being
undertaken?  (Personal view, yes, and they will be covered)

6.  Will we have a "new" machine to talk about?  (Personal view, yes)

7.  Will the number of keys on the next generation calculator increase
or decrease?  (Personal view, use the treo as a data point and remember
that keys are expensive.  This issue is unclear.  Personally I want more
keys.)

8.  Will HP have some interesting inputs on all of the above?  (Personal
view, yes)

  

We, the "insiders" of the HPUC, know about the bumpy past of HP
calculators.  We know that the last few years have been a road to
recovery with the present product line up.  We have seen some
re-inventing of "old" ideas such as keyboard reliability.  I expect that
HP will have something to say on these topics in ways we have not heard
for a long time.  This is very exciting news as the HHC 2006 Committee
evaluates the possibilities for HHC 2006.

 

So far we have the usual suspects for the committee.  Joseph, Jake,
Wlodek and Richard.  We will add another member as soon as we decide on
a location for the conference.  Volunteers are always welcome.  So far
the possible locations are:

 

1.  San Jose - Ted Kerber is the point person on this location.  A
repeat at the Radisson of HHC 2004.

2.  Bosie - Cyrille is the point person on this location.  Car rental
necessary but HP offers a no cost meeting location.

3.  San Diego - I am looking into this location.  A very nice Radisson
hotel in La Jolla CA.

 

We have most of the cost information and it will be provided very soon.

 

Joseph will set up a web page for this purpose much as he has done in
the past with one exception.  I would like to involve the HPUC more this
year.  We will coordinate this List with the web site.  Whenever there
is an update on information it will be "announced" on this list.  Please
use this list to provide comments and discussion.  The web site will
carry the distilled information along with other useful material you
will want to know about.

 

This List has been up and down since the first of the year but Eric says
we can go for it.  Perhaps increased activity will help keep it "up."

 

Keep tuned, and let everybody know what you are interested in, where you
would like have the conference, etc.

 

One aspect is quite clear.  We will not be able to have another no cost
"Chicago" type HHC 2005 conference.  Costs of the various locations
range from $35 to $50.  Of course knowing how many are interested is
vital for our planning. 

 

More details soon.

 

X < > Y,

 

Richard

rjnelson at aemf.org

 

P.S.  Tell anyone you know who may be interested to sign up for this
list so they may keep informed.

 

 

 

 

 

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