Hacker News Reader

It's why only nerds use Linux (simple for the developer) but everyone uses Office (simple for the user).

Sorry, I meant Microsoft Copilot 365.

I think Excel is a good example that everyone can build a clear mental model on how to use it, but implementing one is a daunting task.

Pretty much anything. I mean, even consider a text editor, monospace font, no syntax highlighting. It's already pretty daunting. Doable, certainly, but a big task. We're lucky people already made some, and we can copy their designs even when we choose not to copy their exact code.

Now consider Microsoft Word.

Are you nuts?

Excel is great, but it's an arcane beast rivaled only by Emacs configs. People pass down Excel formulas by word of mouth like they're magic spells.

Yes, I was thinking about it being an insanely low-code programmable machine, hidden in the seemingly limited 2D grid of cells.

Which traces back to Xerox Bravo text editor.

From the authors, Charles Simonyi went to Microsoft as one of the original Word implementers, while Excel was born on Mac OS and only later ported to Windows.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com