Lotus Unwraps 1-2-3/G; Graphical Spreadsheet for OS/2-PM
 
Copyright (c) 1989, McGraw-Hill, Inc.
LAS VEGAS (Microbytes Daily News Service) --- Lotus Development
Corp. last night unwrapped its first graphical spreadsheet
program, 1-2-3/G for OS/2-Presentation Manager, and said the
product has entered beta testing. Company officials here at
Comdex did not announce pricing or availability of the
forthcoming program.
 
The new spreadsheet will offer the same features as 1-2-3 Release
3, including three-dimensional worksheets, background
recalculation, undo, and database querying. Lotus has also added
features OS/2-dependent capabilities such as virtual memory,
multitasking, and dynamic data exchange, as well as pull-down
menus, dialog boxes, and multiple windows for spreadsheets and
graphs. 1-2-3/G has a textured 3-D look and feel, with shaded
buttons and an appearance reminiscent of OSF/Motif.
 
The new program will also introduce a significant new capability
called Solver, which allows users to model multivariate equations
based on a desired result or a set of conditions. For example,
using the Solver you could input a "criterion range" of
manufacturing goals and limits and the software would calculate
the optimal production mix to maximize profits. The Backsolver, a
junior Solver, can calculate backwards to figure the necessary
inputs to achieve a desired output. According to Lotus, this
capability advances 1-2-3 from a "what-if" to a "how-to" tool.
 
                              --- Andy Reinhardt
 
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
