Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!tronsbox!akcs.valhalla From: akcs.valhalla@tronsbox.xei.com (Ralph A. Foy) Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga Subject: SpreadSheets Message-ID: <2764d53d-374f.1comp.sys.amiga-1@tronsbox.xei.com> Date: 11 Dec 90 13:06:06 GMT References: Lines: 40 >I am lookinf for a spreadsheet. I haven't seen many PD/Shareware ones that >are very good (if someone knows of any, please let me know). So I called >up the dealer I usually get stuff from and asked them. They said that >there are essentially only two out there: Advantage and Maxi Plan III Well, I am now using Superplan which appears to be alive and well... It seems to be full-featured and has an ARexx port (or so the documentation would have you believe... I havent used it yet, and there's no mention of it in the docs, 'cept the README file). I had been using Analyze, which is adequate, but lack of support was appalling--last I heard MSS stopped all development and it still has a ways to go IMHO. I put together a couple of neat Analyze applications, and haven't had the time to play much with SuperPlan... first impressions are + ARexx Port + Development and support seem to be there... + Company also markets SuperBase 3.0 database software and promises smooth interface between the two + seems full-functioned - macro language is "different" (very non-Lotus, but not in a better way: uses 3 letter cmds, sometimes cryptic, eg: >MCR (move cursor right) rather than {right}...) - borders and menus take up lots of screen real estate - command menu is extremely cryptic (selections are letters A-Z, to copy dont try "C" (Calendar), but "R" for Replicate...) - WARNING: Make sure you get the US version (regis. card goes to TX, not England--British version is Dongle-protected, and not-supported by US company (and British office not supposed to provide US support, even if I wanted to call them long distance... Had to deal with store for a couple of weeks before they could get a US copy from their distributor--don't know if this is a common problem, but better beware. - words in manual and program are misspelled (e.g. "colour", "neighbour," etc. 8-) The jury is still deliberating, but so far I would recommend that you test drive it and decide for yourself... Ralph ----- Ralph A. Foy Nutley, NJ akcs.valhalla@tronsbox.xei.com