Original Message:
Sent: 08-29-2016 11:24
From: William Harris
Subject: Statistics Hand Held Calculator
Brent, your comments are well taken. I didn't mean to offend, simply to point out research that doesn't seem to be discussed much. I don't think I'll have much impact on the size of the spreadsheet-using population.
Relatedly, though, I found out over the weekend that Google's NaCl (Native Client) Development Environment app for Chrome comes with Emacs 24.3, which includes GNU Calc. If that suits someone's needs, if they're running Chrome, and if they can install the NaCl Development Environment, then that may be an attractive proposition.
Bill
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Bill Harris
Data & Analytics Consultant
Snohomish County PUD
Original Message:
Sent: 08-29-2016 09:32
From: Brent Blumenstein
Subject: Statistics Hand Held Calculator
William Harris: You pointed out some interesting sources of information about the dangers associated with using and coding more complex spreadsheets. (I would point out that some of the horror stories are based on simple data entry errors.)
But I would not want the reader of this topic to be discouraged from using a spreadsheet as a calculator because of the inherent relative complexity associated with assuring validity of more complicated uses and coding of spreadsheets.
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Brent Blumenstein
Original Message:
Sent: 08-26-2016 11:48
From: William Harris
Subject: Statistics Hand Held Calculator
I chuckled at "all the advantages of a spreadsheet." I used to use spreadsheets a lot (I think I tested a beta copy of Excel 3, for example), but I eventually began to see unexpected (to me at the time) errors crop up both in others' and in my spreadsheets. I found some of the research at EuSpRiG that contrasted error rates in spreadsheets with error rates in programs and similar research at the University of Hawaii that described what I had seen and explored causes.
At that point, I shifted to J for array work, and I now use R, Emacs Calc (which is roughly like a high-end HP calculator), some J, and a few other calculation engines.
J, I believe, does run on Android and is free, so that's one option.
There is work being done to make Emacs available on Android, but I have no insights into its practical status for everyday use. If Emacs Calc worked, it will do probability distributions and a lot more. The previous Android link pointed out what sounded like a foolproof method, should you have a server available: ssh into that server from your device, and run Calc on it.
Just a few thoughts. I do realize my sensitivity to spreadsheets puts me in the minority, and I'm not trying to hijack this thread.
Bill
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William Harris
Data & Analytics Consultant
Snohomish County PUD
Original Message:
Sent: 08-25-2016 08:24
From: Brent Blumenstein
Subject: Statistics Hand Held Calculator
I find that a spreadsheet on a smart phone works well (and saves your work until you decide to move on). It off course also has all the other advantages associated with using a spreadsheet. Often what starts out as a simple calculation evolves into something more complex for which a spreadsheet becomes quite useful. I use Numbers on iOS, but I am sure there are other options for other systems. Also, for simpler stuff I find the app Scientific Graphing Calculator 2 to be pretty good. (BTW: Even when using a computer I use a spreadsheet as a calculator.)
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Brent Blumenstein
Original Message:
Sent: 08-23-2016 13:00
From: Robert Brill
Subject: Statistics Hand Held Calculator
Here is a mundane question for you. I frequently need to do some statistical computations while away from a computer- like a statistical GP who does house calls. For three decades my HP 21S has faithfully done me this service. It has died L. HP no longer makes this calculator. Can someone recommend a good replacement. What I need the most is the ability to easily get critical values and tail probabilities for the Z, t, F and Χ2 distributions. I do not need graphing or plotting capabilities. Does anyone have a suggestion. Thanks much!