Two things about this program make it so useful to the medical (or any scientifically inclined) community.

First, you can include non-math text with your equations. This allows you to explain, warn, or clarify anything about the equations that you place in the memo. For instance, you might have a MathPad memo that figures the A-a gradient from ABG data supplied and can state (right next to the calculated answer) that a value of 15 mmHg on room air should be considered abnormally high. Or you might want to include adverse reaction information in a memo calculating the weight based dosage for a medication.

Second, since MathPad works like the built-in memo app, you can define categories allowing you to neatly sort all your equations for quick access. You might for instance, have categories for "ABX's," "Drips," "Emergency Meds," and "General Medical Calculations." Memos are sorted within each category alphabetically using the first line of each memo (just like the built-in memo pad).

MathPad allows you to easily define "input only" and "output only" variables. These are variables that are erased when you close the memo, and are re-defined each time the memo is opened. You define a variable as input only by placing "<-" after it. For instance "Wt<-" defines the variable "Wt" as input only. Similarly, an output only variable is defined by "->" after it. When a MathPad memo is opened, it will automatically scroll to the first input only variable (if one exists). Once you enter them and tap the "solve" button, the program scrolls down to the first output only variable and places the values in the appropriate spots.

The actual equation(s) may be place anywhere in the memo; even at the very end after the output variables. This allows you to neatly include all your input and output variables in one screen, while your equations are neatly hidden on the screen below. Because, aside from the math part, it works just like the built-in memo pad; you can cut, copy, paste, spell check, and edit without learning any new tricks. Additionally, all text oriented hackmaster extensions (QuickText too) work well with MathPad. I have never experienced any conflicts, lockups, or errors.

MathPad can handle normal text as well as math oriented information. It supports input and output only variables, and allows placing equations at the end of the memo keep the screens uncluttered. The program supports categories for memos.

The program will only work on Pilots with system version 2.0 and up. Those with original Pilot 500's are S.O.L. Although the original version of MathPad was a single-file lean mean calculating machine, the latest version must find a separate MatLib.prc loaded on you Pilot in order to run. The IEEE 754 double-precision floating point functions are now included in this module. Both files consume 98K, which is about twice the size of earlier versions. Not really a memory hog when you consider its usefulness but, for those of us without a TRG mondo-board, every byte that a program takes is one less byte available for data. Up until version 1.1 (currently 1.11), there was no way to share MathPad equations. Sure, you could restore your own equations after a hard reset, but your colleagues could never have access to your carefully constructed library of 250 special purpose equations. Rick Heubner now includes two DOS programs, MPImport and MPExport, which can be used export your DBF as text (MPExport) and allows another user to import the file to MathPad on their Pilot (MPImport). The first problem with these programs is that they are DOS. You must type the path to the input and output files in the DOS command line. Secondly, exporting the DBF as text removes the nice neat categories. You have to sift through each imported equation to select "details" and set the category you like; what a pain in the... Rick also includes the C source for these programs so that someone can write a real export/import program for Win95.

Once an export/import program with better interface is made (come on you closet programmers, I know you're out there), you can bet that equation DBF's will show up on the web for download by any interested party. This is a very good program for a medication database and dose calculator.