Re: QDE (Quick Date Entry)

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From: Norman Harker (njharker_at_optusnet.com.au)
Date: 09/01/04 

Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2004 09:18:57 +1000

Thanks Harlan!

Just the sort of comments we need and will take on board.

Frank and Ron have covered the technical issues you raised. I'll stick
to utility.

Same as you, I don't often need this type of tool as I don't often
have to enter that many dates.

But there are researchers out there plus other mass date entry users
who will benefit significantly from QDE *if* we've got it right.

There is, without a shadow of doubt, a pain before you gain! And you
will not gain enough to warrant the pain unless you have a significant
major date entry requirement.

You need to install. You need to master what we hope is a fairly
simple user interface for setting up or accepting defaults. Then it's
a reasonably fast process of activation and range setting and you are
off!

Pretty extensive, but nonetheless imperfect, testing indicated that
QDE works OK. We don't think that many users will hit problems but
obviously we keep our fingers crossed. We certainly don't have the
time or resources that are needed to test in a multitude of
environments. I think that you are right though in indicating that a
beta indication was warranted pending operation under fire.

What we are attempting to redress is a fundamental defect / inadequacy
in Excel. It doesn't have a dedicated data type for dates and times
but uses special formatting of numbers plus interpretation of date
type entries. That attempt must have limitations and the pain > gain
trade-off that you've hit on is the biggest one for most users.

Now if we could have the sort of Spreadsheet program that we could
design from base up without the accumulated detritus and historically
imposed limits. Plus avoid the need for backwards compatibility...
Nirvana! I hope to see you there. 

-- 
Regards
Norman Harker MVP (Excel)
Sydney, Australia
njharker@optusnet.com.au

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