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CNET Posts Article on Hacking TI Calculators
Posted by Michael on 15 October 2009, 18:22 GMT

I'm always hesitant to post something that involves me personally because of conflicts of interest, but CNET has posted a pretty cool news article about why hobbyists hack TI calculators. The story focuses on Brandon Wilson, Dan Englender, and myself. The highlight is the second photo, where you can see Dan Englender's incredible stash of calculators and calculator-related equipment.

But most importantly, articles like this are raising awareness of TI's DMCA abuses and presenting the TI community to the rest of the world in a positive light. We have now covered most of the major technology news sites with our story, highlighting the spirit of the sharing of knowledge and intellectual challenge which makes the community so great. By simply telling our story as it happened (and by TI's repeated refusals to comment on any of these news stories, which is revealing in itself), we have completely won the battle of public opinion!

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Re: CNET Posts Article on Hacking TI Calculators
Michael Vincent  Account Info
(Web Page)

A note, in the sake of correctness: I never said to the reporter that I was "the news editor" (he took that from the staff page), but since I've continually been posting news here and there, I never really was able to retire anyway.

I'm just no longer the *only* news editor. Astrid, Travis, and all the other fine ticalc.org staff will continue to handle many of the news articles and I'll post occasionally.

I also have found myself rewriting Emu8x for 81 emulation support and 18% speed increase...so much for having no time :-). Once you join the community, the only way to leave is death it seems.

Reply to this comment    15 October 2009, 18:37 GMT


Re: Re: CNET Posts Article on Hacking TI Calculators
Bob Jones  Account Info
(Web Page)

I like your web site.

Reply to this comment    16 October 2009, 20:30 GMT

Re: CNET Posts Article on Hacking TI Calculators
tifreak8x  Account Info
(Web Page)

This is really cool that this is spreading like it is.

The only thing I think they could have worded differently would have been changing hacker to programmer.. But otherwise, was an interesting read.

Reply to this comment    15 October 2009, 21:00 GMT


Re: Re: CNET Posts Article on Hacking TI Calculators
elfprince13 Account Info
(Web Page)

pish posh. This is hacking (in the old school sense), fair and square

Reply to this comment    16 October 2009, 21:22 GMT

Re: CNET Posts Article on Hacking TI Calculators
Kevin Kofler Account Info
(Web Page)

Hopefully such articles can bring some fresh blood into the community!

Too bad that article only focused on the TI-83+, the 68k models are soo much cooler!

Reply to this comment    15 October 2009, 21:18 GMT

Re: Re: CNET Posts Article on Hacking TI Calculators
calc84maniac  Account Info
(Web Page)

no the ti nspier iz teh best

Reply to this comment    15 October 2009, 21:28 GMT

Re: Re: Re: CNET Posts Article on Hacking TI Calculators
Lewk Account Info
(Web Page)

Thems are fightin words sir.

Reply to this comment    16 October 2009, 04:06 GMT


Re: Re: Re: Re: CNET Posts Article on Hacking TI Calculators
Bob Jones  Account Info
(Web Page)

Personally, I like the TI-86 the best.

Reply to this comment    16 October 2009, 20:24 GMT


Re: Re: Re: CNET Posts Article on Hacking TI Calculators
nspire121 Account Info

i agree!
it just needs to be hacked

Reply to this comment    17 October 2009, 18:48 GMT


Re: Re: CNET Posts Article on Hacking TI Calculators
Stefan Bauwens  Account Info

It IS a pity. I myself only have 68k calculators at home.
Btw: The ti 83 is WORSE(much worse) then the ti 68k's

Reply to this comment    16 October 2009, 06:35 GMT

Re: Re: Re: CNET Posts Article on Hacking TI Calculators
Brandon Wilson  Account Info
(Web Page)

I think you mean "than", not "then", in which case I agree. However the 83+ series is great.

Reply to this comment    16 October 2009, 15:33 GMT


Re: Re: Re: CNET Posts Article on Hacking TI Calculators
nspire121 Account Info

yes, but the 83 line is also good

especially when you have an nspire with 83 emulation

best of both worlds

Reply to this comment    17 October 2009, 18:50 GMT

Re: CNET Posts Article on Hacking TI Calculators
xcopfly Account Info
(Web Page)

I'm glad this is gaining attention. Texas Instruments should not be terrorizing high school students.

Reply to this comment    16 October 2009, 01:28 GMT


Re: Re: CNET Posts Article on Hacking TI Calculators
Lewk Account Info
(Web Page)

I don't think that any of the DMCA'd individuals are still in highschool, but in any event, I agree. It's really a shame they decided to be asses in this situation.

Reply to this comment    16 October 2009, 04:08 GMT


Re: Re: Re: CNET Posts Article on Hacking TI Calculators
_DigiTan  Account Info
(Web Page)

Yeah. It's really a shame that such an innovative company is having its image tarnished because a bunch of combative lawyers couldn't keep themselves in line. This just gets uglier the more it drags out.

Reply to this comment    16 October 2009, 05:50 GMT

Re: CNET Posts Article on Hacking TI Calculators
Brandon Wilson  Account Info
(Web Page)

Had I known we were submitting pictures of our stashes, I would have submitted mine (see URL).

Reply to this comment    16 October 2009, 15:35 GMT

Re: Re: CNET Posts Article on Hacking TI Calculators
mapar007 Account Info
(Web Page)

QUOTE: I think you mean "than", not "then", in which case I agree. However the 83+ series is great.

Common error in Flanders... ;-)

(I'm from Belgium myself)

Anyway, great to know that the world is actually interested in us!

Reply to this comment    16 October 2009, 16:54 GMT


Re: Re: CNET Posts Article on Hacking TI Calculators
olav_nordmann  Account Info

I didn't know they made the TI-84 plus SE in different colours (except for the keyboard overlay)?

Reply to this comment    19 October 2009, 20:04 GMT

Re: CNET Posts Article on Hacking TI Calculators
aloishis89 Account Info

Does anyone know where Dan Englender went to college? I'm curious what school would have freshman that recognized the name of a calculator hacker.

Reply to this comment    21 October 2009, 20:16 GMT

Re: Re: CNET Posts Article on Hacking TI Calculators
Benjamin Moody  Account Info

I don't know, but the anecdote doesn't surprise me that much; you don't have to be a serious calculator geek to have heard of MirageOS. :)

Reply to this comment    22 October 2009, 02:18 GMT


Re: Re: CNET Posts Article on Hacking TI Calculators
Dan Englender Account Info
(Web Page)

The University of Michigan.

Reply to this comment    23 October 2009, 03:17 GMT

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