i pretty much don't care one way or another...took some getting used to, but it's not a dealbreaker

8/16/2007 11:25:43 AM

Quote :

"You, as usual, got called out for making a fucking stupid comment, backpedaled, shifted context, and now are arguing another stupid point."

Context: 500k rows long spreadsheet in an enterprise setting for a "multi-billion dollar hedge fund".

My suggestion: Don't use Excel if you have to generate data so frequently.

Who called me out: You (with a ), and some other dude who said that not all spreadsheets have to be enterprise to be 500k rows big.

Who wins: reason, which you don't have. If you need proof, refer to the Mac thread below.

8/16/2007 1:19:20 PM

please do not argue with esgargs on the basis that he is esgargs. many noobs make this mistake; and while it can be a fun for the time being, you're only making an ass of yourself. he is actually right in this instance. sortof.

Quote :

"Databases are used for storing data, spreadsheets are used for calculations."

This is false. What you're thinking of is more along the lines of:

OLTP is used for storing data, OLAP is used for calculations.

OLTP systems (such as Oracle, SQL Server, and to a lesser extent MySQL) are very useful for maintaining the data in such a way that there is no ambiguity in the data. Generally you'll have normalized, relational tables linked with all sorts of foreign keys and primary keys and what not. You'll also have transactions in the database (the T stands for Transactional), so you can do things like debit $500 from Alice's account and credit $500 to Betty's account in one atomic action.

OLAP systems (such as Hyperion, SAS, Cognos, and SAP) usually extract data from OLTP systems, denormalize it into such a way that calculations are much easier (and usually pre-calculated), and make reports quick to view, detailed, and informative.

Excel performs tries to be both of these things, but ends up looking like a lemonaid stand on the side of the road compared to these players.

8/16/2007 2:29:03 PM

Thanks for the technical breakdown. I obviously don't have a database intensive background. That said, I found out that Oracle BI has OLAP, too.

8/16/2007 2:37:17 PM

8/16/2007 3:41:29 PM

Since your comment was obviously directed at me, philihp ... I couldn't care less who esgargs is or what his status is on TWW, I make comments as I see them and I ignore message board politics, I'm here for the Tech Talk, not to make asses out of myself or anyone else.

And yes, my comment was largely vague, thanks for the detailed explanation of OLTP and OLAP, that's the kinda stuff that makes this place worth reading.

8/16/2007 5:01:58 PM

Quote :

"Thanks for the technical breakdown. I obviously don't have a database intensive background. That said, I found out that Oracle BI has OLAP, too."

Hence why you need to shut the fuck up.

The reason I just you now is because the technical explanations aren't even worth the time. All of your knowledge seems to be based off of second-hand reading and magazine/blog/news articles.

8/16/2007 5:23:06 PM

ROFL

I like the generic post modeled in the way of a comeback.

PS: Bitch, I know more about this crap than you'll ever do.

8/16/2007 5:24:19 PM

No, you don't.

8/16/2007 10:11:16 PM

If you say so.

I mean you're being facetious as usual.

8/16/2007 10:16:28 PM

I really only use Excel sparingly so for my exceptionally basic needs I find 2007 a lot more straightforward.

8/16/2007 10:17:33 PM

^^No, I'm not in this case.

^07 has made HUGE strides in it's VBA capabilities and functions. Especially on multi-dimensional calculations and triggers it's several times faster than 03. The backwards compatibility functionality is also extremely well done throughout Office, I love knowing exactly what (in non-archaic terms) I'm going to lose by back-saving.

8/16/2007 10:44:16 PM

you lack the credo

Just saying.

I love how you make personal attacks because technicalities are beyond you.

8/16/2007 10:45:19 PM

http://www.leulier.com/

The only real use I have for Excel is this. A spreadsheet to compute how much DPS my WoW warlock does.

8/17/2007 12:37:34 AM

Office 2007 Ultimate for $59.95 ... http://www.theultimatesteal.com/

... If you're a current student at a university. Put that university email to good use!

9/14/2007 10:20:00 AM

had to do some access the other day and wanted to shoot myself.

it also hangs up when printing powerpoint slides in handout format

[Edited on September 14, 2007 at 10:35 AM. Reason : ss]

9/14/2007 10:35:19 AM

I doubt that Office is the problem

9/14/2007 10:44:08 AM

Has anyone experienced incompatibilty issues with Excel 07 and older versions?

I've had a lot of vendors come back saying they can't open up my spreadsheets.

I usually save as a an excel 97-03 but i guess the times i dont, those particular spreadsheets aren't working

9/25/2007 10:03:11 AM

07 is *.xlsx
03 and earlier is *.xls

surely you see the problem

9/25/2007 10:23:35 AM

.... i think you just answered your own question.

Excel 2007 documents can only be opened in 2007. Otherwise, you have to save as a previous version.
http://blogs.msdn.com/excel/archive/2006/07/20/671995.aspx

9/25/2007 10:35:18 AM

or the 2003 users can install the computability pack. Wish ITD would install it on computer lab machines though.

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/products/HA101686761033.aspx

9/25/2007 11:55:26 AM

Quote :

"Suppose the formula is in A1. =A1+1 returns 100,001, which appears to show the formula is in fact 100,000... =A1*2 returns 131,070, as if A1 had 65,535 (which it should have been). =A1*1 keeps it at 100,000. =A1-1 returns 65,534. =A1/1 is still 100,000. =A1/2 returns 32767.5"

9/25/2007 12:23:17 PM

grrr my vendors need to get with the times

9/25/2007 2:31:12 PM