Although I haven't used the TI89 (after my time), I have extensively used the TI85, TI81, and HP48G (yeah the one with only 32K RAM!). In my opinion, the HP is the more capable, powerful device. Their construction is renowned, and I can vouch for their comparison to "tanks." I've had mine for 13 years and the buttons still have a solid "click" to them, and the nylon/cloth case has kept it almost entirely scratch-free. The TI's on the other hand feel cheap, fragile, and generally loose from day one. The HP also has the edge if you are interested in programming (in fact it was the first platform on which I learned programming). The functional nature of RPL (its RPN-based functional programming language) might take some getting used to (hello stack; goodbye parentheses!), but it's perfectly suited to mathematics. You also have access to highly-optimized unsupported internal procedures, and if you're intrepid enough, you can program directly against the Saturn processor in assembly (http://www.grack.com/writings/hp48/GuidetotheSatu rnProcessor.html). My crowning achievement was a (barely-playable) versus fighting game, sigh =) The TI85's scripting language resembles a crippled version of BASIC, but you can also program it in assembly.
The TI is definitely a capable device and if you're not interested in being exposed to a different and more programmable technical environment, you will probably prefer its simpler, more familiar environment. But for the astutely mathematical, logical, or computer-oriented mind, the HP will provide more overall satisfaction IMHO. I've had my HP48G since 1994, through high school and college, and now it sits close at hand in my desk at work... my one and only comfort in life =(
Discrete math, which includes set theory, combinatorics, number theory (compression, cryptography, encoding) and graph theory, are the absolute foundations, but there are many other more advanced mathematical disciplines that are important to computing. The following were part of my computer science and engineering curriculum (UCLA ):
Advanced Numerical Computing: "Introduction to numerical analysis and computing techniques: root finding, matrix computations for systems of linear equations, systems of nonlinear equations, numerical methods for ordinary differential equations, least squares, eigenvalue/eigenvector problem, applications to engineering problems."
Computer System Modeling Fundamentals: "Basic tools necessary for performance evaluation and design of distributed computer systems, including such topics as combinatorics, generating functions, probability theory, transforms, Markov chains, baby queueing theory." Useful for scheduling and timing.
Mathematical Modeling and Methods for Computer Science: "Introduction to methods for modeling and simulation using interactive computing environments. Extensive coverage of methods for numeric and symbolic computation, matrix algebra, statistics, floating point, optimization, and spectral analysis. Emphasis on applications in simulation of physical systems."
Algorithms and Complexity: "Introduction to design and analysis of algorithms. Design techniques: divide-and-conquer, greedy method, dynamic programming; selection of prototypical algorithms; choice of data structures and representations; complexity measures: time, space, upper, lower bounds, asymptotic complexity; NP-completeness."
Formal Languages and Automata Theory: "Grammars, automata, and languages. Finite-state languages and finite-state automata. Context-free languages and pushdown story automata. Unrestricted rewriting systems, recursively enumerable and recursive languages, and Turing machines. Closure properties, pumping lemmas, and decision algorithms. Introduction to computability"
The fact is, most computer science courses are couched in rigorous proofing (e.g. by using relational set calculus in database courses) so it's hard to draw the line of what is and what isn't "mathematics" when it comes to computer science. The rigor and breadth of the fundamentals in computer science programs is intended to broaden one's understanding of what computer science comes from, and the surrounding ideological terrain, to enable the development of novel techniques and ideas, possibly enabling the expansion of the science of computing. This is beyond the vocational goal of teaching particular language, toolset, or practices, which is the worthy aim of trade schools or programming-oriented programs. Individuals not interested in the esoteric mathematical foundations of computer science would probably find these programs more suitable.
the school's computing facilities just recently opened a new computer lab, stocked with new-ish hardware and loaded with windows xp. (the four other labs have windows nt, but dual boot into linux. haven't checked whether the new winxp lab includes linux.) furthermore, they offer downloads of visual studio.NET and windows xp at no charge for students.
at least the CS department's upper division course on operating systems is still based on linux. and various unix flavors power most of the campus' central systems.
First I should mention that I think well-roundedness is vital to what one does with his technical knowledge, but is often cast aside as foolish and irrelevent by many in the tech industry.
Although the following doesn't answer your specific question, it responds to your general situation. I too am a commuting student, yet I am almost greatful for the commute. It provides me a time during which I can enjoy good music and catch up on news, social commentary, and american culture.
By good music, I mean independent, eclectic music, not the manufactured 2-dimensional garbage that's on every commercial radio station. Check out your college radio station. Also Crud Music Magazine and College Music Journal are both pretty good at identifying intelligent interesting music in the indie scene. The benefit of intelligent music is in terms of social education: enriching your knowledge of humanity and culture. Which of course, is very relevent when considering how you want to use your degree once you've graduated. Also, it sets you apart from the multitudes of geeks that <strikeout>don't understand</strikeout> "cannot be bothered with" culture.
Regarding talk/news radio, you should try listening to NPR. You might not agree with their website linking policies, but in general, they provide a free, high quality service.
<plug type="shameless">And if you live in L.A., you should check out KCRW. I haven't changed my radio dial since discovering them more than 2 years ago.</plug>
Slashdot Mirror
Although I haven't used the TI89 (after my time), I have extensively used the TI85, TI81, and HP48G (yeah the one with only 32K RAM!). In my opinion, the HP is the more capable, powerful device. Their construction is renowned, and I can vouch for their comparison to "tanks." I've had mine for 13 years and the buttons still have a solid "click" to them, and the nylon/cloth case has kept it almost entirely scratch-free. The TI's on the other hand feel cheap, fragile, and generally loose from day one. The HP also has the edge if you are interested in programming (in fact it was the first platform on which I learned programming). The functional nature of RPL (its RPN-based functional programming language) might take some getting used to (hello stack; goodbye parentheses!), but it's perfectly suited to mathematics. You also have access to highly-optimized unsupported internal procedures, and if you're intrepid enough, you can program directly against the Saturn processor in assembly (http://www.grack.com/writings/hp48/GuidetotheSatu rnProcessor.html). My crowning achievement was a (barely-playable) versus fighting game, sigh =) The TI85's scripting language resembles a crippled version of BASIC, but you can also program it in assembly.
The TI is definitely a capable device and if you're not interested in being exposed to a different and more programmable technical environment, you will probably prefer its simpler, more familiar environment. But for the astutely mathematical, logical, or computer-oriented mind, the HP will provide more overall satisfaction IMHO. I've had my HP48G since 1994, through high school and college, and now it sits close at hand in my desk at work... my one and only comfort in life =(
Discrete math, which includes set theory, combinatorics, number theory (compression, cryptography, encoding) and graph theory, are the absolute foundations, but there are many other more advanced mathematical disciplines that are important to computing. The following were part of my computer science and engineering curriculum (UCLA ):
Advanced Numerical Computing: "Introduction to numerical analysis and computing techniques: root finding, matrix computations for systems of linear equations, systems of nonlinear equations, numerical methods for ordinary differential equations, least squares, eigenvalue/eigenvector problem, applications to engineering problems."
Computer System Modeling Fundamentals: "Basic tools necessary for performance evaluation and design of distributed computer systems, including such topics as combinatorics, generating functions, probability theory, transforms, Markov chains, baby queueing theory." Useful for scheduling and timing.
Mathematical Modeling and Methods for Computer Science: "Introduction to methods for modeling and simulation using interactive computing environments. Extensive coverage of methods for numeric and symbolic computation, matrix algebra, statistics, floating point, optimization, and spectral analysis. Emphasis on applications in simulation of physical systems."
Algorithms and Complexity: "Introduction to design and analysis of algorithms. Design techniques: divide-and-conquer, greedy method, dynamic programming; selection of prototypical algorithms; choice of data structures and representations; complexity measures: time, space, upper, lower bounds, asymptotic complexity; NP-completeness."
Formal Languages and Automata Theory: "Grammars, automata, and languages. Finite-state languages and finite-state automata. Context-free languages and pushdown story automata. Unrestricted rewriting systems, recursively enumerable and recursive languages, and Turing machines. Closure properties, pumping lemmas, and decision algorithms. Introduction to computability"
The fact is, most computer science courses are couched in rigorous proofing (e.g. by using relational set calculus in database courses) so it's hard to draw the line of what is and what isn't "mathematics" when it comes to computer science. The rigor and breadth of the fundamentals in computer science programs is intended to broaden one's understanding of what computer science comes from, and the surrounding ideological terrain, to enable the development of novel techniques and ideas, possibly enabling the expansion of the science of computing. This is beyond the vocational goal of teaching particular language, toolset, or practices, which is the worthy aim of trade schools or programming-oriented programs. Individuals not interested in the esoteric mathematical foundations of computer science would probably find these programs more suitable.
Just thought I'd add that as of Jan 2005, Six Apart owns Danga, which is the parent company of LiveJournal.
Kensington FlyLight Platinum USB Notebook Light
woohoo
apparently ucla's school of engineering and applied science has received a lot of... sponsorhip, from microsoft, through microsoft's msdn academic alliance, which provides hardware and software to schools at no cost.
the school's computing facilities just recently opened a new computer lab, stocked with new-ish hardware and loaded with windows xp. (the four other labs have windows nt, but dual boot into linux. haven't checked whether the new winxp lab includes linux.) furthermore, they offer downloads of visual studio.NET and windows xp at no charge for students.
at least the CS department's upper division course on operating systems is still based on linux. and various unix flavors power most of the campus' central systems.
First I should mention that I think well-roundedness is vital to what one does with his technical knowledge, but is often cast aside as foolish and irrelevent by many in the tech industry.
Although the following doesn't answer your specific question, it responds to your general situation. I too am a commuting student, yet I am almost greatful for the commute. It provides me a time during which I can enjoy good music and catch up on news, social commentary, and american culture.
By good music, I mean independent, eclectic music, not the manufactured 2-dimensional garbage that's on every commercial radio station. Check out your college radio station. Also Crud Music Magazine and College Music Journal are both pretty good at identifying intelligent interesting music in the indie scene. The benefit of intelligent music is in terms of social education: enriching your knowledge of humanity and culture. Which of course, is very relevent when considering how you want to use your degree once you've graduated. Also, it sets you apart from the multitudes of geeks that <strikeout>don't understand</strikeout> "cannot be bothered with" culture.
Regarding talk/news radio, you should try listening to NPR. You might not agree with their website linking policies, but in general, they provide a free, high quality service.
<plug type="shameless">And if you live in L.A., you should check out KCRW. I haven't changed my radio dial since discovering them more than 2 years ago.</plug>
"How expensive was it to develop, and what costs were associated with the deployment and maintaintenance?"
Income tax in Norway ranges up to 55%