Graphical Calculators: What's So Great About Them?

Technology such as the Graphical Calculators covered in this article are rapidly changing our world in many ways and becoming more affordable for the average person. Its worth mentioning however that better technology is actually properly defined as simply a better way of doing something we already do with whatever process we have at hand. Rather than thinking of better technology in terms of computers, hi tech gadgets and such, for example anytime we find a way to get to work 5mins faster than before we have found a better technology to improve our lives in some respect. Graphing calculators are an extremely useful tool for students, scientists, engineers and mathematicians. They are basically handheld computers, much more powerful than normal calculators and capable of performing complicated algebraic functions. With a larger graphical interface, they are best known for their ability to show graphical representations of mathematical equations, and hence their name.

The Japanese company Casio first introduced graphing calculators in 1985 when they released their fx-7000G. Casio still makes graphing calculators today, but the market is now dominated by Hewlett-Packard (HP) and Texas Instruments (TI). Casio has since focused their marketing on the grade school and junior high school applications of graphing calculators, where HP and TI now control the high school, college, and professional markets.

Since most graphing calculators are allowed on standardized tests such as the SAT, they are a valuable tool for students. Some of the more modern models have a QWERTY keyboard setup and have thus been declared to be 'computers' and not calculators. These models are not allowed for use on the SAT, and are therefore not very popular amongst students.

**Running Commentary** - Its interesting to note at this point that Graphical Calculators are going to range in price quite a bit and you really need to first identify your needs and wants and when you go shopping make sure you don't overspend for features you want but don't really need. As technology so quickly becomes obsolete 1. many of the features will become obsolete 2. later models will be cheaper if not superseded by a later model with newer features and 3. are you going to actually have time to read the whole manual and understand how all the features work ? (I know I never figure out all the features of any new gadget or gizmo I buy)

The two most popular non-QWERTY style models today are the TI-89 Titanium Edition, and the HP-49G+. They are both generally as powerful as the QWERTY models, such as the TI-92 and the Voyage 2000, but are much smaller and more convenient. Their prices are nearly the same in most stores and generally fall in the $140-160 USD range.

Personally, I am a long time user of TI model calculators and would recommend the TI-89 over the HP. The TI is capable of better resolution on its screen, and seems a little more user friendly. The TI is often thought to be marketed more for students and other non-professionals, and for their needs it is more than enough.

The HP does have an SD expansion card upgrade available that can allow users a virtually unlimited amount of memory, but I don't see a need for more than the 2.7 MB the TI-89 Titanium comes with. When I was in college I was able to put all the programs and even games I wanted on my TI-89 with space left to spare. Plus, the HP has suffered from a series of manufacturing defects, which though they have since corrected, still has me a little uneasy about their products.

When buying a calculator, it's a good idea to research what your needs are exactly. Maybe you're going to need a lot of memory and the HP-49G+ is better for your needs. If you don't plan on using it for tests and don't care about size, you might want to consider a QWERTY layout. Is there a specific model your instructor recommends? Are there specific models you aren't allowed to use?

Whatever your needs may be and whether you are a student or a professional, graphing calculators can be a valuable asset to help you better understand the complex world that is graphical mathematics.

To wrap up our article about Graphical Calculators I wish you luck in putting your new technology to use in your home/work life. In the last 20 years I have seen so many examples of new technology come and go I cant help feeling excited about what I'm going to see in the next 20 years. Although many people seem to feel a sense of foreboding about new things changing their lives in a negative way I must confess that I don't have this fear at all (at the ripe old age of 40 anyway). I understand that new and changing technology is not only inevitable but in fact is opening up more opportunities for us all than ever before in our history and we should only feel threatened if we choose to cling to the past and somehow expect the rest of the world around us to do the same.

About the Author

Mr James has owned The Cartridge Specialists (Melbourne) since 2004 selling ink, toner, fax rolls etc & regularly writes articles about his industry

Goal Setting - How an Athlete achieved his goals at the Commonwealth Games

Last night, Australia held its breath as John Steffensen lined up for the 400 metre final at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games.

Before the race, I was captivated as I watched a feature story about John and his preparation for this race.

During this story John had proclaimed that he would not only run under the 45-second mark, but he would also win the final. Becoming the first Australian sprinter to win this even since Darren Clark won at Auckland in 1990.

John then stepped the viewer through his strategy as we watched one of his earlier heats. He explained what he would be thinking and what he would be doing during the final.

This story proved to be sensational journalism, but it also got me thinking about this brilliant Australian and how he prepared for this event.

So, let's take this great athlete, take his preparation and break it down into clearly defined steps that we could use to achieve our own goals.

1. He set a clear goal

John set a very clear goal. He did not say, "Well, I'll do my best" or "I might win this race". Instead he said that he would win this race and his time would be under 45 seconds.

He had a very specific goal in mind and he clearly visualized the outcome he would achieve.

This allowed him to not only prepare his body, but also his mind for the challenge ahead.

2. He trained with the best

The next thing John Steffensen did was to seek out the best possible trainers and athletes he could find and train with them.

He realised very early on that he would need to train with the best. John got his opportunity after the Athens Olympics when he teamed up with the American Coach, John Smith.

John Smith is a former 400m world class athlete, but he is also a formidable coach and has trained Olympic 400m champions Marie-Jose Perec and Steve Lewis.

This training allowed him to improve his personal best time by 0.9 of a second, which gave him the confidence that he could achieve his goal.

3. They focussed on a game plan

John Steffensen and John Smith developed a very clear game plan. Their plan was that he would go out strong, stay relaxed and keep his stride. When he hit the 150-metre mark he would put on a burst of speed through the final corner and this extra speed would carry him to victory. They also knew that the key to his victory would be his ability to keep his stride and stay relaxed.

4. He would not be denied

John didn't want this victory, he needed this victory and every atom of his being craved it.

He knew he could win and he dismissed any criticism. He made sure that there was no turning back, and leading up to the Commonwealth games he went public and proclaimed he would not only win the event, but he would run under 45 seconds.

Most people looked on this as a very cocky young man full of hot air, but he knew he was going to win and he would not be denied.

Leading up to the finals, John Steffensen avoided the press, which allowed him to focus clearly on his goal without the distraction of being in the limelight. This action also ensured that nobody had an opportunity to plant any seeds of doubt in his mind.

5. He took massive action

John knew that he had to take massive action and just before the event he told a reporter that he had talked a lot about this moment and it was now up to him to take action and achieve his goal.

The stadium was buzzing with excitement as the athletes lined up and then the stadium went very quiet as the audience waited in anticipation.

The gun sounded and John shot out of the blocks. He got a great start and led the field through the first corner.

However, the rest of the field closely followed him. But, John looked in control and relaxed.

When he got to the 150 metre mark, John put on a sudden burst of speed through the final corner which carried him down the straight to an impressive win and a lap time of 44.73 second. Making him only the sixth Australian to run under 45 seconds.

6. He celebrated his achievement

Straight after the race John celebrated his achievements in true "Jerry Maguire" style. He did not hold back any emotion; he screamed, he prayed to god, dodged journalists, jumped on fences and had a lot of fun.

After a Journalist finally caught up with him, John said that he worked hard for his goal, he had visualised this victory and he wanted to enjoy every moment of it.

He also added that this was a team effort, and that this would not have been possible without the help of his coach, John Smith.

He then mentioned that most people thought he was over-confident, but his self-confidence was only a reflection of his faith in his preparation.

The Journalist then asked if he could beat the Americans at next year's world championships in Osaka. Steffensen replied "Me and my coach will go back to the drawing board and set our goals for next year. But when I know I'll definitely tell you about it."

So What Did I learn?

This event gave me a glimpse of how extraordinary people succeed in life. I'm going to take the steps outlined in this article and apply them to my goal setting. I hope you will do the same.

Read other great goal setting articles at http://www.articlerich.com

About the Author

None

Central Australia's Magical Palm Valley

Palm Valley is a magical Central Australian tour destination located on hour or two west of Alice Springs in the magnificent Western MacDonnell Ranges. The Finke Gorge National Park covers an area of 46,000 hectares and includes the spectacular Palm Valley, home to over 400 plant types of which more than 30 are considered rare. These rare plants include the Red Cabbage Palm (Livistona mariae), of which there are more than 3000 examples in Palm Valley, many of which are hundreds of years old and form a lush oasis among the rugged red rocks and gorges of the Western MacDonnell Ranges. The palms are relics from a previous age when Central Australia, now an arid desert environment, was a much wetter tropical environment. The nearest similar palms are found 1500-2000 kilometres away on the Australian coast in Western Australia and New South Wales. The cycads found in Palm Valley are also unique to the area. The area's importance was recognised as early as 1923 when some sections were designated flora and fauna protection areas.

Palm Valley and the surrounding country have enormous cultural significance to the indigenous Western Arrernte people, who know Palm Valley as Pmolankinya. The Western Arrernte Dreamtime story for Palm Valley describes a disastrous bushfire which occurred in an area to the north. Many ancestors were burned during this catastrophe, with the younger men being carried off in flames by strong winds and dropped into Palm Valley where they became palms and cycads. According to Arrernte tradition, the suffering of these fire ancestors is represented by the blackened trunks of the palms, while the leaves of the palms represent the young men's long hair.

The first recorded European to come across the palm trees of Palm Valley was the explorer Ernest Giles, who was following the course of the Finke River in Central Australia in 1872 during his first attempt to reach the Western Australia coast from South Australia. Giles did not inspect the tributary of the Finke that flowed through Palm Valley because of threatening rain and the fear of the Finke River's mighty floods, as evidenced by debris tangled high up in the River Red Gum trees along the river. Palm Valley itself wasn't discovered by Europeans until the settlement of Hermannsburg mission in 1877.

Palm Valley has plenty to offer the adventure traveller, including bushwalks and remote camping in spectacular and colourful desert country. The main gorge features high red cliffs, clean white sand, cool waterholes, enormous river gums, and tall palms. The Finke Gorge National Park is about 140 km west of Alice Springs. Turn south off Larapinta Drive just west of Hermannsburg. The last 16 km of road into Palm Valley follows the sandy bed of the Finke River, claimed to be the oldest river in the world, and is limited to 4WD vehicles only. Heavy rains often make this section of the road impassable.

The most popular walk at Palm Valley is the Arankala Walk, a 1.5 km walk lasting about 80 mins return. An easy walk following the creek bed, it offers excellent views of the ancient Red Cabbage Palms, rugged red cliffs, abundant bird life and, in season, large rockpools teeming with fish and other aquatic life. There is also the longer Mpulungkinya Walk, a 5 km walk taking about 2 hrs return which meanders among a lush oasis of slender Red Cabbage Palms. Palm Valley has a camping site and spending a night and exploring the area thoroughly is the best way of experiencing the Finke Gorge National Park. With prior permission from the Ntaria Council at nearby Hermannsburg, a former Luthern Church mission that is another fascinating story in iteself.

About the Author

Miguel Scaccialupo writes regularly on Australian tour topics such as Uluru Tours and Kakadu Tours.