# ASCERTain

> Lotus 1-2-3 add-in

**Wikidata**: [Q121631733](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q121631733)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ascertain

## Summary
ASCERTain is a software add-in designed for the Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheet program. Developed for the HP 95LX palmtop computer, it was distributed by Septima International Corporation in March 1993. The software was priced at $95 and distributed via floppy disk.

## Key Facts
- **Software Type:** Lotus 1-2-3 add-in.
- **Platform:** Requires the HP 95LX computer.
- **Release Date:** March 1993.
- **Price:** $95 USD (as of March 1993).
- **Distributor:** Septima International Corporation.
- **Distribution Format:** Floppy disk.
- **Product Category:** Non-tangible executable software component.
- **Source Documentation:** *The HP Palmtop Paper* (March/April 1993 issue).

## FAQs
### Q: What is ASCERTain?
A: ASCERTain is a software application that functions as an add-in for Lotus 1-2-3. It enables specific functionality within the spreadsheet environment on compatible hardware.

### Q: What hardware is required to run ASCERTain?
A: The software is designed to run on the HP 95LX, a palmtop computer. It operates as a component within the Lotus 1-2-3 software environment installed on that device.

### Q: How much did ASCERTain cost?
A: According to the March/April 1993 issue of *The HP Palmtop Paper*, ASCERTain was priced at 95 United States dollars.

### Q: Who distributed ASCERTain?
A: The software was distributed by the Septima International Corporation.

## Why It Matters
ASCERTain serves as a historical example of the specialized software ecosystem that surrounded early mobile computing, specifically regarding the HP 95LX palmtop. In the early 1990s, the HP 95LX was a pioneering device that offered "palmtop" portability while running industry-standard productivity software like Lotus 1-2-3. However, mobile users often required specific utilities to bridge the gap between desktop functionality and mobile constraints.

Software like ASCERTain represented the "aftermarket" expansion of these devices, allowing professionals to customize their mobile workflow through add-ins rather than entirely new software suites. At a price point of $95—roughly equivalent to the cost of a lower-end modem or peripheral at the time—it was a significant investment for a specific utility, indicating that it likely provided critical functionality for business or data analysis tasks on the go. Its existence highlights the role of third-party distributors like Septima International Corporation in supporting the lifecycle of niche hardware platforms before the ubiquity of internet-based software distribution.

## Notable For
- **Platform Specificity:** Designed exclusively for the HP 95LX, one of the first true MS-DOS compatible palmtop computers.
- **Software Integration:** Functioned as a direct add-in to Lotus 1-2-3, a dominant spreadsheet standard of the era.
- **Distribution Model:** Distributed physically via floppy disk by Septima International Corporation rather than being built into the device's ROM.
- **Price Point:** Valued at $95, positioning it as a professional utility tool rather than low-cost shareware.

## Body
### Software Classification
ASCERTain is classified as a software component, specifically defined as a "non-tangible executable component of a computer." It functions as an add-in for the Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheet application.

### System Requirements
The primary environment for ASCERTain is the HP 95LX computer. The HP 95LX is a palmtop computer released in the United States, which served as the hardware host for this specific software utility.

### Commercial Availability
According to *The HP Palmtop Paper* (March/April 1993), the commercial details for ASCERTain were:
- **Distributor:** Septima International Corporation.
- **Cost:** $95 United States dollars.
- **Date:** Publicly referenced and available by March 1993.
- **Format:** Distributed physically on floppy disk.

### Source Verification
The knowledge regarding ASCERTain is derived from documentation in *The HP Palmtop Paper*, a publication dedicated to the HP palmtop series. The specific reference appears in the March/April 1993 issue (Volume 8), accessible via the publication's digital archives.

## References

1. [The HP Palmtop Paper](https://www.palmtoppaper.com/ptphtml/8/ptp80017.htm)