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Re: spreadsheet ergonomics

owl
SubjectRe: spreadsheet ergonomics
Fromowl
Date04/06/2017 03:54 (04/06/2017 01:54)
Message-ID<avz804.bud3@rooftop.invalid>
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Newsgroupscomp.os.linux.advocacy
FollowsSnit
FollowupsSnit (8m)

Snit <usenet@gallopinginsanity.com>wrote:

Snit
On 4/5/17, 6:34 PM, in article aiv00alkg.ay@rooftop.invalid, "owl" <owl@rooftop.invalid>wrote:

owl
Snit <usenet@gallopinginsanity.com>wrote:

Snit
On 4/5/17, 5:12 PM, in article azcv003gabu.dji@rooftop.invalid, "owl" <owl@rooftop.invalid>wrote:

...

So absolutely, without a doubt, the different tables on the sheet serve a FUNCTIONAL purpose... one that is key to the tool being used.

owl
There is not one thing at the cell level that can be done in a sheet or table that cannot be done with the other.

Snit
Or by hand. Sure. So?

owl
If you insist otherwise, then name the numerical functions that are unavailable to one but available to the other.

Snit
You started by asking for the FUNCTIONAL difference between the two. Now you want to know the COMPUTATIONAL difference.

owl
Computation is the primary function of a spreadsheet. I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but making flyers takes a backseat.

Snit
Providing USERS with the results is the primary function -- without the presentation there is little value to a spreadsheet. You keep leaving the user out of the equation as to the value of a computer... but the computer exists to serve the user.

Now this does not mean a user will always interact directly with the spreadsheet... and in those cases things like sc, with their UIs which are not really designed to be usable by the majority of users BUT which do far better number crunching, are better tools.

Each has pros and cons. I have no issue with that.

That is easy, too!

A sheet offers ZERO capability to do ANY numerical function without the addition of a table. ALL calculations are done in tables. ALL.

owl
LOL! Have you ever used any other spreadsheet besides Numbers?

Snit
The discussion here was about Numbers! No other spreadsheet that allows for multiple tables on a sheet has even been mentioned.

Maybe you should have said from the outset that what Numbers calls a "sheet" is completely different from what every other spreadsheet program means by that term.

Snit (8m)