HP41 Software Library

[John Breda]

Does anyone know if the HP41 software library is still in around? Originally it was run by HP, then by Solve and Integrate in Corvallis, OR.

[Chris Catotti]

It was thrown in a dumpster(s). No one could be found that want to keep a large room of filing cabinets.

I would like to start collecting all programs, clean them up, and eventually redistribute a on CD-ROM or DVD.

Any interest?

I have a few programs now, and catalogs of the US and European Libraries.

[John Breda]

I have the old software catalog from the 1980's and a few software items.

[Wlodek Mier-Jedrzejowicz]

The European HP-41 program library was separate from the US library. The most popular US programs were included, but most programs in it were ones written by members of the User Program Library Europe (UPLE). Programs were cataloged by language, and then subcataloged by subject. When HP decided to close down these program libraries, they offered the European libraries to European clubs in each language. The English-language section was given to the British club, HPCC. A selection of programs was stored for use by members, and the complete original set is still in a member's attic. The problem is finding someone who would transfer it all (several thousand programs) to a modern medium - we at HPCC (http://www.hpcc.org) are not willing to risk shipping it, so the work would have to be done in or near London, England. Any offers?

[Ellis Easley]

Sounds like a fantastic way to spend an extended vacation! I wish I could - unfortunately I've used up all my extended vacation time! If I win the lottery I'll be in touch.

[Steve (Australia)]

What format is it in?

I wrote a program to convert scanned barcode to printed HP41 instructions some time ago (not that I'd be able to find it :-(

I realise I'm not too close to london, but perhaps you could slip some of it to Ian Thorpe on his way back.

[Tony Duell]

Wlodek, I volunteered to look at the remains of the UPLE over a year ago. I can transfer any (still-readable) 41 media (cards or bacodes would be the most likely) to disk. I might even be convinced to type in some of the more useful programs from their listins, as I did with some of the HP67 solution books.
However, at the time you said it would not be easy for me to get the libary boxes (or whatever). Has this changed? If so, I will have a go at it. (And yes, I do live in London).

[Wlodek Mier-Jedrzejowicz]

Hi to everyone who expressed interest in the English language section of UPLE, still in London.

The library is _mostly_ just as photocopied sheets of paper, or the submitted originals, including copies of program listings. It might be possible to simply scan everything, a sheet at a time, to a CD-ROM. Or even to microfilm - who still uses that very useful medium? ;-) But that is not of direct use to people who want to read programs directly into an HP-41 or an emulator.

Only some of the programs were put onto barcode by UPLE. An even smaller number were put to program cards. And the HPCC Committee decided at one stage that the cards were more valuable than the programs on them, so many programs that _were_ on cards, no longer are, as the cards were given to members for re-use :-( Some programs still _are_ on cards, though.

Tony - the boxes are easier to get at now than before, if you are interested. I'll contact you directly :-)

Dave, I'll contact you directly too.

Anyone else _in_ London or interested in helping? Come in September, and come to the HPCC Conference at the same time? ;-) See http://www.hpcc.org

Thanks,

Wlodek

[Tony Duell]

As you know, I have no scanner, so I can't help with that part of it. But I will (as I said to Wlodek privately) read in any barcodes and/or magnetic cards, and get them onto PC disks. Then somebody else can put those onto CD-ROM or whatever.
As regards printed listings, I really don't want to type them _all_ in, particularly not for areas I am not interested in. But I am prepared to do _some_ of them.
Wlodek, let's discuss this by private e-mail. If you can dig out the boxes (one at a time?) then I will look through it and at least see what's there.
Incidetally, I have a few (about 10, I think) UPLE programs on magnetic cards that I've been given. Those will obviously end up on disk.