On Tue, 6 Dec 2005 05:16:41 +0000, "Jonathon Blake" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> said: > John wrote: > > >Multiplying/adding a string variable by a number should be impossible > > Sometimes test strings are used for null values. > For example, if something is not scorable, rather than putting "0", > which will throw numbers off, the entry should read "not scorable". > > All calculations involving that cell should silently the value of the > cell. > > > easy way to convert from text to numerical but I think an automatic > > conversion is almost certain to cause errors. > > Is., and has caused errors. [somebody published a paper on the number > of errors in _The Human Genome Project_, because Excel turned every > genome that contained an "E" into a number, and thus corrupted the > data.]
You wouldn't happen to have a reference to that paper would you? I find spreadsheets very useful but I would not use them for complicated analyis or data base purposes if I had any choice. I like to collect ammunition to use when I make such a suggestion to others. > [Whilst that is an example of the stupidity of the people that > participated in that project, it is indicative of how common the total > lack of thinking about appropriate tools is.. And unfortunately, > spreadsheet developers have to take into consideration the lowest > common denominator (IE Thinking skill level is zub zero) ] I think you may be a bit harsh here. It may be a case of if the only tool you have is a hammer then every problem looks like a nail. I have known people to do their résumés and correspondence in a spreadsheet because it was the only computer tool they knew how to use. Unfortunately in this case I think the spreadsheet developers made some very serious wrong decisions. ----- John Kane Kingston ON Canada [EMAIL PROTECTED] (613)888-2399 -- http://www.fastmail.fm - Access your email from home and the web
