THREE BOOKS FOR THE HP 95LX

A thick, comprehensive reference, a small, pocket reference organized around tasks, and a well-organized Lotus tutorial are the first three books on the HP 95LX that we've seen.

By Richard Hall

USING YOUR HP 95LX

[For those who want a comprehensive reference, but find the 95LX's User's Guide documentation unfriendly and difficult to use.]

This book, jointly published by Hewlett-Packard and Addison Wesley, is a thick (380 pages) reference, less formal and more friendly than the 95LX documentation.

The material covered in this book is similar to that in the 95LX documentation, with the exception of the section on Lotus 1-2-3 (a bit skimpy: 20 pages compared to over 200 in the User's Guide). However, Using Your HP 95LX makes fewer assumptions about what you know, and is presented in a less crammed format. In addition, it has a rich and well-indexed set of examples that should help the reader quickly grasp specific tasks on the 95LX.

The 95LX's documentation has more information, but Using Your HP 95LX is more accessible.

THE ANSWERS YOU NEED FOR THE HP 95LX PALMTOP PC

[For those who need a quick, "how to do it" reference to the major topics covered in the 95LX documentation.]

This is a well-thought-out, $9 pocket reference organized around tasks, not specific applications. This small book walks you through the organization, analysis, and sharing of information; communicating with other devices; optimizing work; troubleshooting the HP 95LX; and more.

The Answers You Need... has plenty of examples, lots of nice tips and other well-organized information that make its 160 pages well worth $9. You get:

1. 1. A Solver equation to do Calendar Math, and other equa tions;
2. 2. Examples of using the "Backsolve" feature;
3. 3. A macro that saves all open files and exits to DOS;
4. 4. Advice on avoiding data loss;
5. 5. A reference section with a complete listing of the special characters and graphic characters that can be displayed on the 95LX, and the hexadecimal key codes for all 95LX keys, and <Ctrl>-, <Shift>-, and <Alt>-key combinations. (Key codes can be used in the APNAME.LST file to set up keys or key combinations to start System Manager-compliant applications.)

 

 

[A well-organized self-study for those who want a quick introduction to Lotus 1-2-3 on the HP 95LX.]

The section on Lotus in the HP 95LX User's Guide, though very thorough, is certainly designed as a reference for those who already know something about Lotus. This 132-page book was designed by a Lotus 1-2-3 expert and educator as a tutorial for Lotus on the HP 95LX.

It covers all the basics, from setting up a worksheet, performing calculations, printing worksheets, managing files, using databases and macros, and backsolving.

I'm using it as my first step into the world of Lotus 1-2-3 -- and enjoying it. If you already have the basics down, you'll get more out of the User's Guide.