Approximately 1973 I learned how to use a slide rule. Anyhow, the Apollo-missions were mainly calculated with it. A real "handheld" with analog technic and operated without batteries...
The digital age began for me in 1975 with an electronic calculator by "Karstadt". The LED-display was not bad as a torch and it calculated the square root of -1 without any problems.
Around 1981 I owned my first programmable calculator, a Casio FX-702P with an one line alphanumerc matrix display (LCD). I had to learn Basic and it accepted 1680 memory steps *hey*. Together with a 7-needle thermo printer and a cassette recorder interface it was a real mobile equipment. A self-made modification with resistor and switch allowed operation speed up 2,5-times.
Two years later a Commodore C64 went in. With Basic too it's RAM had full 38k remaining free for use *wow*.
By 1990 a Casio SF-7000 data base with 32k came into action. It had a slim foldable housing with a foil keyboard and a "Wide Screen" matrix display (LCD). Quite good for my address book and memos but the schedule left some space for improvement. The main batteries (two coin cells) supplied power eternally for about one year and data syncronisation with a PC was possible.
A PC latest state of the art was bought in 1994. With 486 processor, CD-ROM and Windows 3.11 it is still in use for my wife's work. By the way: not a single hang up so far!
And then on the 5. June 1998 I got my first Palm Pilot Personal. *yeah*. Upgraded to a Professional with 2MB and OS 3.5 it is still in operation and my back-up unit and "fall-back-Palm". Since 23. October 2001, I have been working with a IIIc which has proved a stable and robust device. Just the power button is reinforced by a small aluminium piece . I could keep all my accessories and it has got even a Bluetooth-jacket . For this please refer to the page "hardware".
In November 2001 the PUG Hamburg (Palm User Group) was founded and since then I have been a member of it. About the PUG HH please refer to page PUG.