Notations

Character-based

• :. = therefore: In PocketPC, dotting twice converts '..' to ':' so that ':.' is faster than '.:'.
• :~ = because: There is no "upper dot" in general character set. This looks close to ':.'. In Prolog programming language, ':-' is used in syntax as "(only) if" logic but that symbol in ordinary writing language rather means "such as". Tilde character in some typeface becomes upperscore.
• / done, x cancelled, . started, ^ postponed, transfered (to elsewhere), > in progress (not complete yet)

Graphical symbols

This is for use in hand-writing (among books) not text-typing (in computer).

• q

  (q) Prepare for to-do tracking: i.e., denote a task

• Triangles

  • Right-ahead: normal bullet. The 'o' symbol can confuse with text in writing. Also easier than black 'o' or square symbols.

  • Normal:

  • Upside-down

  • Left-ahead

HP-calculator equation, financial investment formula

This equation is for quick calculation of buying/selling stocks.

IF(S(AMT) OR S(VOL): AMT-VOL*PRICE :
(VOL*PRICE-ABS(VOL*PRICE*COM%/100*(1+VAT%/100)))-TOTAL)

Input negative value either AMT or VOL to indicate buying.
Note that I use '*' and '/' for multiply and divide operators respectively (the calculator uses exact arithmatic symbols).
However, few weeks later I revised to this version:

TRADE: IF(S(AMT) OR S(VOL) OR S(PRICE): AMT-VOL*PRICE : VOL*PRICE*COM%/100*(1+TAX%/100)-FEE)

• Assign formula's label.
• Handle when price is queried.
• Only calculate fee (commission + tax) instead of total. To get total, press: [AMT] [+ or -] [FEE (twice, first time it will beep)]

I should add more from HP 200LX later.

Cheers,
[vps]

LotusNotes: asset aging formula

This formula calcaluates age from field 'Purchase_date' and rounds to 0.5-year interval.

y0 := @Today;
y1 := @Year(y0) +(@Month(y0)/12);
x0 := @If(Purchase_date=""; y0; @TextToTime(Purchase_date));
x1 := @Year(x0) +(@Month(x0)/12);
@If(Purchase_date=""; -1; @Round(y1 - x1 -0.24; 0.5))

Actually the formula of y1 (and x1) would be "... +((@month(y0) -1) /12)". However, when (y1 - x1) is computed, result will be correct value.

Offset value 0.24 is used to implement "round down" or "floor" function. It is 0.24 instead of 0.25 in order to avoid case when the item has just been purchased (where result will be calculated to -0.25 and then rounded down to -0.5). If quarterly-basis is preferred, @round's arguments become (y1 - x1 -0.124; 0.25).

In this context, the field Purchase_date is text type. Formula returns -1 when Purchase_date has no value.