Lotus 1-2-3 on the PC with DOS
7 days ago
- #Lotus-1-2-3
- #spreadsheet
- #retro-computing
- Lotus 1-2-3 revolutionized spreadsheets by integrating spreadsheet, graphing, and database functionalities, surpassing VisiCalc.
- The program's name '1-2-3' refers to its three core components: spreadsheet ('1'), graphing ('2'), and database ('3').
- Lotus 1-2-3 became the 'killer app' for the IBM-PC, significantly outperforming VisiCalc in sales and functionality.
- The software introduced innovations like minimal recalculation, relative and fixed cell references with '$', and named ranges.
- Lotus 1-2-3's macro system allowed for automation, though it was complex and required deep familiarity with the program's commands.
- The program supported add-ins, expanding its capabilities with features like WYSIWYG and natural language processing through HAL.
- Despite its advancements, some features like graphing were limited compared to modern standards, and the WYSIWYG add-in was criticized for being cumbersome.
- Lotus 1-2-3's legacy is evident in modern spreadsheets, contributing significantly to the 'feel' of contemporary spreadsheet software.