50g

Hello,

I just bought the HP 50g, but I have not had time to look at it much 
as teaching takes up so much of my time.  Also I am not used to fancy 
programmable graphing calculators!

I am presently using these two scientific calculators: a Texas 
Instruments TI-30XS and a Casio fx-991ES. Both are non-programmable, 
non-graphical fairly easy-to-use scientific calculators for algebra 
and trigonometry.

I have read that the HP 50g has a steep learning curve, so to make 
the transition from my TI-30XS & fx-991ES as painless as possible, I 
would like (at first) to have the HP50g behave like an easy-to-use 
scientific calculator for algebra and trigonometry.

1) Right out of the box, can I use the HP50g like an easy-to-use 
scientific calculator for algebra and trigonometry?

2) I do not want to use RPN, will I find there are missing keys or 
keys in weird places if I use Infix?

3) Will I find any other limitations if I use Infix instead of RPN?

4) Are there some things I can do to make the HP50g more user 
friendly for a first time user needing algebra and trigonometry? 

5) Will I have trouble trying to use the HP50g as a decent but more 
basic scientific calculator as compared to my TI-30XS and Casio fx-
991ES?

6) Are all the usual scientific calculator keys easy to find and not 
hidden? For example I've read the TI-89 Titanium does not even have a 
1/X button!

7) I understand the programs for the HP50g use RPN, is there a way to 
easily program the HP50g without RPN?

Much thanks indeed!