One of my first exp
eriences with PC programs was Lotus 123. As a scientist and engineer it was a blessing. Originally I used it on a pre-Windows DOS PC and was often a pain in the you know what but it still made my job much easier. I can say the same for the pre – Windows word processor WordPerfect. Well 123 is on it’s way to the software grave yard.[icopyright one button toolbar]
So farewell 1-2-3. It may not have been the first computer spreadsheet, that honour went to VisiCorp’s, Apple II-based, VisiCalc, it was the first spreadsheet designed to run on the IBM PC which had launched two years earlier. But Lotus founder, Mitch Kapor made no secret of the fact that he wanted 1-2-3. to be the best in every category.
Commenting on the news of 1-2-3’s demise, Mitch Kapor told ZDNet: “Lotus 1-2-3 had a great run and I’m proud of what we accomplished at Lotus. It was a landmark product of its era and set the standards for productivity applications for personal computers for a long time.”
I have used Excel for a couple of decades now but I still mourn the passing of Lotus 123 – so many memories. My major problem with current Office programs is they have 100’s of features I have to wade through and don’t need. Perhaps I’m just an old fart who looks back on the” good old days” but I do believe the overly complex software reduces productivity. Lotus 123 was my introduction to the world of the PC.