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Interview With Spreadsheet Creator

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the not-just-for-sheets-anymore dept.

Gammu writes "Dan Bricklin helped create one of the most successful computer metaphors of all time, and he never got rich. He, and another engineer, started Personal Software to create the computer spreadsheet VisiCalc, which established the Apple II as the standard microcomputer for small businesses and attracted the attention of IBM to the market. Josh Coventry recently interviewed Bricklin about VisiCalc and his newer projects, including a Wiki-style spreadsheet." WikiCalc was discussed back in February on Slashdot and reviewed by NewsForge in March. NewsForge and Slashdot are both owned by OSTG.

6 of 135 comments (clear)

  1. I'm a loser by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    first post

    1. Re:I'm a loser by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

      fist porst

    2. Re:I'm a loser by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

      Thanks for the correction, sir.

  2. Mac not certified by BadAnalogyGuy · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    Not that I'm a big proponent of certifications, but Apple has not taken any steps to get their machines certified for military or government usage. This means that it is not acceptable for certain tasks which require that certification.

    By not being on the government's approved vendor list, they are unable to translate those consumers into customers, and this in turn leads to a natural resistance to their product in other non-governmental businesses.

    It's funny to think that once Apple was the choice of small businesses everywhere, but today it's the choice of a small band of fanatics instead. Despite their involvement in educational computing, Apple has been laid by the wayside by Microsoft and its business/government-centered approach to the market.

    1. Re:Mac not certified by 0racle · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      See that Apple logo up there attached to the story and the summary mentioning Apple? That there is a license to bash. It doesn't have to be relevant.

      --
      "I use a Mac because I'm just better than you are."
  3. ScuttleMonkey by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    You guys used to rag on this guy a whole lot, but now that this "Zonk" chraracter has joined the crew, he don't look too bad, does he? ;-)