Lotus 1-2-3 vs. Excel vs. Google Docs & Spreadsheets?
Upon their release in the early 80s Microsoft Excel and Lotus 1-2-3 offered similar products measured by both quality and efficiency. They each associated themselves with different systems which in turn determined their place in the market for the next two decades. It seems that we may be embarking on another turn of events with the availability of free web hosted applications such as Google Docs & Spreadsheets and Zoho Office.
Lotus was not the only spreadsheet program in the early 80s but it was the most efficient. Following its release in 1983 Lotus was innovative in using television consumer advertising. Things looked great for Lotus for a number of years due to its speed and similarity to the model of VisiCalc, including the A1 number and letter cells, and slash-menu structure. It was virtually free of bugs and outperformed the slower DOS screen input/output functions. In addition to being a spreadsheet it also featured integral charting/graphing and database operations. Hence, its name 1-2-3 which references its three main capabilities.
Data was sorted in each defined rectangle within the order of data in one or two columns in the rectangular area. One could also justify text within a certain range into paragraphs which allowed it to act as a primitive word processor. It contained user friendly features such as keyboard driven pop-up menus and one-key-commands. Lotus most notable user friendly feature was a context sensitive help menu accessed by the F1 key. Version 2.0 introduced macros and add-ins. This resulted in outside vendors being able to sell macro and add-ins packages which ranged form full fledged word processors to dedicated financial worksheets. Version 2.0 contained macros with syntax and commands as well as a string of variable expressions which were similar in complexity to an advanced BASIC interpreter. In versions to follow Lotus 1-2-3 also supported multiple worksheets. Lotus also created a version of 1-2-3 for the HP 200LX, a palmtop released by Hewlett-Packard.
Excel was offered first for Mac in 1985 and then for Windows in 1987. In comparison to Lotus, Excels introduction offered all the number crunching capabilities plus pull down menus and WYSIWYG formatting. These two features resulted in Excel being much easier to use. By 1988 Excel outsold 1-2-3 and began to solidify its place as the leading PC software developer. Microsoft proved to be an ambitious competitor, by maintaining a valuble product and releasing new versions approximately every two years. Excel has also kept up with its Mac releases. The current version for the Windows is Excel 12 or Microsoft Office Excel 2007. The current version for Mac OS X is Microsoft Excel 2008.
Looking back, it seems that in 1982 when Microsoft offered its spreadsheet program titled Multiplan it was popular with CP/M systems but MS-DOS systems favored Lotus 1-2-3. MS-DOS clearly prevailed as the more predominant system, thus, Lotus 1-2-3 as the more predominant spreadsheet program. In the late 80s Microsoft put together Excel, an upstart spreadsheet for its Windows graphical interface. Lotus was focused on IBM OS/2. Windows use boomed with Windows 3.0 but Lotus had already lost its lead. Excel became the industry leader for spreadsheet computer software. IBM continues to sell 1-2-3 as part of the Lotus SmartSuite office suite.
The trends are shifting again with the availability of free web hosted applications such as Google Docs & Spreadsheets and Zoho Office. This is sure to provide a challenge for Excel to maintain its prestigious position however; it will not be a clear comparison as the online applications are a different product. They do not imitate Excel and 1-2-3 but expand on them. They use the power of the webs collaboration, instant feedback, mashups, live data and context searches. None the less it will be interesting to see Microsofts future maneuvers!
I have an extensive background in Finance and Fiscal Procedure. I also have a web business where I offer Educational Computer Software and Games. Please visit us at http://www.thesoftwarespot.com ! Thank you, Allison Merlino
Related Articles:
4 Keys To Get Website Traffic For Your MLM Business
If you have been marketing your MLM business online for any while, you must probably realize the importance of linking your website to others of similar content to get quality website traffic.
Web Site Owners Learn SEO (Search Engine Optimization) to Improve Search Engine Rankings
Web site owners are taking advantage of specialized training in search engine optimization to improve their overall search engine rankings.
A Three Day Marketing Plan for Better Google Rankings
If you're reading this article, you've probably discovered that simply building a website is not enough to ensure success with your small business. Competition on the web is fierce.
Jobscience Promotes Human Capital Communications With Google Apps Integration
Dashboard access to popular applications, including Google Talk & Google Docs, within the TalentPath recruiting platform invites collaboration across organizations.
Real Estate Mapping System -- Google Mapping Technology With a User Friendly Interface
This mapping system is perfect for any real estate firm or company that needs to show an organized and usable list of properties or any other items that need to be viewed or tracked on a map of a city or country. The system uses Google mapping technology to place all of your properties on a map of a city with latitude and longitude GPS precision. You will have an easy to use admin area that allows you to enter all the property information and display the property on the map using the address. The system automatically converts the address into lat and long coordinates for placement on the map.
Search Engine Marketing Agency Launch Mobile Search Marketing Service
With close to 3 billion mobile device users worldwide, Search Engine Marketing Agency Neutralize has responded to client demand with the launch of Mobilize.
Professional Traffic Building Tips
Let's face it; the Internet is cluttered with all sorts of guides about increasing traffic to your web site. Unfortunately, most of these guides are outdated or incomplete.
SEO - What is Google PageRank and Why You Should Care About It
If you have a new website and you want people to visit it, then you are probably going to be interested in learning about PageRank So what is Google PageRank, and why does it matter
1 Simple SEO Strategy To Get More Visitors To Your Site From Google
Did you know that you can dramatically increase the number of
visitors that come to your site on a daily basis from Google?
And it's not constantly improving your position in Google search
engine result pages(SERPs) for your competitive keywords which
can take some time after working on your search engine marketing
campaigns.I take this example from Google because I've experienced it some
time back now.
The Hidden Traffic Strategy That Skyrockets Your Profits
If you agree that traffic is the true currency of the web, then you'd want to read this article very carefully..
The Google Refrigerator Giveaway at DanPerry.com; The Most Coveted Piece of Industry Schwag You'll Ever See
Dan Perry is giving away his prized possession; the Google Fridge.
The comprehensive guide to getting website traffic in today's world. A general overview.
In this article I will list the many ways and methods to get traffic to a website in a general comprehensive overview. The purpose is to highlight the variety regardless of all other variables. In other words, the only criteria here is pure listing not cost efficiency or traffic effectiveness. I think it is important to have the big picture in mind before starting to devise a plan to generate traffic to any website. Why? Because not all websites are the same. One traffic generating method can only work with certain types of websites and another method can only work with other types of websites. For example, the methods used to generate traffic to an e-commerce website might not be as effective in generating traffic to an information nonprof...
Linking for Traffic: The Shift from Link Directories to Hyper-Targeted Linking
There's a stiff wind blowing in a new direction on the web. And you'd benefit from taking the time to notice the direction its headed.
Seo Elite - A Review To Search Engine Optimization
A search engine optimization review using SEO Elite Software:
JustLuxe.com Outpaces Other Online Luxury Publications in Overall Traffic Volume and Growth
With More Than 1.5 Million Unique Monthly Visitors, JustLuxe.com Surpasses Viewership of Concierge.com, ForbesTraveler.com, and Other Online Luxury Guides and Portals
