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From: vollmer@cod.UUCP
Newsgroups: comp.sources.wanted,comp.databases
Subject: Re: unix spreadsheets?  help!
Message-ID: <522@cod.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 28-Feb-87 10:35:38 EST
Article-I.D.: cod.522
Posted: Sat Feb 28 10:35:38 1987
Date-Received: Sun, 1-Mar-87 16:24:18 EST
References: <1104@uwmacc.UUCP>
Organization: Naval Ocean Systems Center, San Diego
Lines: 36
Xref: utgpu comp.sources.wanted:665 comp.databases:86

in article <1104@uwmacc.UUCP>, jwp@uwmacc.UUCP (Jeffrey W Percival) says:
> Xref: cod comp.sources.wanted:680 comp.databases:79
> 
> We have some cash to spend on a commercial spreadsheet for BSD4.3 Unix.
> We looked at 20/20, but it had essentialy no report generation capability.
> 
> Can anybody name some others, with better report generation?
> We're going to use it to keep requisition and purchase order information,
> and print out multi-part university forms on an impact printer.
> The calculation aspect of the program can therefore be unsophisticated.
> 
> I'd appreciate any suggestions.
> -- 
> 	Jeff Percival ...!uwvax!uwmacc!sal70!jwp or ...!uwmacc!jwp


In the micromputer world I find a similar situation many times.  
A spreadsheet is being used for database applications.

Spreadsheets are intuitive databases for many users as the data is
seen in rows and columns and its not 'hidden' away in some database file.

I would guess 50% of the spreadsheet applications I see have very little
to do with "what if modeling", or number manipulation.

The problem that Jeff states implicitly is that when it comes to
report generation things get difficult.  The interfaces also
break done quickly in data entry and flexibility of database
redefinition.

My rule of thumb is when data entry screens (except for the most
basic) are needed and reports (except for the most basic)
are needed, its time for a 'real' database system.

Tom Vollmer
CSC