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Playing With Binary
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Using Microsoft's Calculator to Play With Binary

Most users do not realize that Microsoft's calculator program has two modes of display, Standard and Scientific.  You can use Scientific mode to translate between different bases.  To open Microsoft's calculator program, click on Start->All Programs->Accessories->Calculator (see diagram below).

After clicking on the "Calculator" menu item, the following application will display:

Click on the "View" menu item and then on the "Scientific" option (see below):

After clicking on "Scientific", the Calculator application will take on a new form (see below):

Use the buttons to enter the code for the character W (e.g. 87).  Make sure the "Dec" radio button is checked when you do this (see below):

Now, press the "Bin" radio button and the decimal number 87 will be displayed in binary (see below):

If you click on "Dec" again, 87 will be redisplayed.  Using this calculator, you can perform bitwise operation on binary numbers.  For example, you can perform the "Xor" operation by using the "Xor" button.