Tips for using the HP 50g graphing calculator

• Tired of having to re-enter your settings after taking the batteries out?
  So was I. To ensure that your preferences are restored upon a reset, create a simple program with filename 'STARTUP' which sets the desired values, and store it in the 'HOME' directory. This will be executed automatically every time the calculator boots up, and save you a lot of annoyance if you drop or crash your calculator often, or like to use cheap batteries.
• Where is the factorial ("!") key?
  The factorial operator is not printed anywhere on the keypad; however, it is included in the default keymap, albeit in a somewhat inconvenient place. Press ALPHA, the Right Shift key, then the 2. Alternatively, you could try mapping it somewhere more convenient.
• Can I use π, etc. in the Plot Setup pages?
  Sort-of. Select a field, hit "EDIT", enter your expression (e.g. π/4), then press Right Shift and ENTER. The expression will be evaluated numerically and the approximate value will be placed in the selected field. You may enter any arbitrary expression which can be evaluated to a real number.
• Random slowdowns?
  When you "DEL" a function at the plot function list, it's still in the filesystem &ndash it's just not in that list anymore. For some reason, once I have a hundred or so old functions lying around, I start noticing horrible delays at inconvenient times such as when entering the Equation Editor. Tossing out the clutter using the File Manager seems to bring things back to normal.
• Hidden game / easter egg
  I don't know why you'd ever want to put the 50g's CPU cycles to such a waste, but if you're bored, a hidden mini-game can be found in the firmware. Enter the Equation Editor (Right Shift, EQW), enter "MINEISBETTER", then hit F6 ('SIMP'), and you'll be rewarded with a crude Tetris clone. Once you lose, you'll be returned to the Equation Editor, and "MINEISBETTER" will have mysteriously evaluated to some integer (this is, apparently, your score). Be careful with this one, because once the game is started, the only way out is to lose (or remove the batteries) &ndash you can't even turn off the power. If an authority figure happens to approach, your best option is probably to cover or stash the calculator...

This page is "under construction". More tips may be added later...