Calculators on desktops (was Re: Octal)

[Tony Duell]

> 
>    Lazy and inexperienced.  The math doesn't need to be re-done in other 
> bases.  Bases are an input/output representation only...and as such, 

Many classic handheld claculators use BCD internally (the HP41 certainly 
does, for example). And I know of at least one calcuator program (I think 
for a Palm, but as I don't have the device I can't be sure) that 
certainly uses BCD artihmetic.

So 'bases' migth not just be an I/O thing.

-tony