Sharp Wizard Tips putz@parc.xerox.com (Steve Putz) Here are some tips I've collected for using a Sharp Wizard. Some are mentioned in the owner's manual or in the on-line help, but some of the others I just discovered by experimentation. These apply to the Sharp OZ-8200, but I've found several apply to other Wizard models as well. * If the Wizard won't turn on, check the card release switch on the case. More than once I've thought my Wizard was dead until I noticed this switch was in the "release" position. * SHIFT SEARCH in the schedule application skips to the next (or previous) scheduled event, skipping unscheduled days. Especially useful on the models that lack the schedule INDEX mode. * Calculations can be copied into the calculator using the CLIP and PASTE keys (SHIFT S and Y). This is useful for editing and saving a long calculation as a memo entry and evaluating it using the calculator (normal or paperless printer mode). On some models, watch out for a limitation on how long a calculation you can successfully paste. * Storing an entry with SHIFT ENTER after editing an entry will store a new copy, leaving the previous entry unmodified. * Edit mode is most easily aborted by reselecting EDIT (SHIFT Q) while in EDIT mode. * When CAPS mode is on, the case shift keys (^) can be used to get lower case. * When using the terminal function: The M- key can be used to send control characters. The M+ key sends an ESCAPE character. The C*CE key sends a control-L. Also, SEARCH forward (v) scrolls the virtual 80x24 terminal to make the cursor visible (not necessarily at the leftmost column). SEARCH backward (^) jumps to the beginning of the virtual screen. * The miniature external battery socket (EXT. BATT.) on the OZ-8200 can be supplied with +6 VDC connected to the central pin. (I was unable to find a coax plug this small, but managed to fashion one.) Using external power is recommended when using the serial port. * Measured external current drain via a 6 VDC power source connected to the EXT. BATT. socket on an OZ-8200: 1.2 mA with the Wizard on but idle. 8 mA with the Wizard searching or running the serial port, or while a key is pressed. * Measured current drain for the serial converter circuit posted by Andrew Woods is 14 mA @ 9 VDC. -- Steve Putz Xerox Palo Alto Research Center Palo Alto, California