> > > As Trevor noted, we also need to be very clear and up front about workshop > goals. I don't know how this specific workshop was advertised, but we > should be careful about saying "use Excel better" when we really mean "use > Excel as little as possible". > > Ah, but there it is again! Do we *really* really mean 'use excel as little > as possible'? Why? Because it's bad? And the student should feel bad for > liking it? Matt, of course you don't mean that somewhat ridiculous > extrapolation, but it's a super easy rabbit hole to accidentally fall down > if a student is as vulnerable as you (rightly) say. >
To be clear, I meant here that we should be careful to advertise workshops honestly. I was not advocating an official SWC position on spreadsheets. That said, I personally would, in fact, advise most any scientist or data professional to use Excel as little as *practically* possible. Why? Because I can save them time and certain pitfalls by helping them move to other tools. And I can do that without being condescending, shaming them, or trivializing the things for which Excel is useful. Best, Matt
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