But I’ve come to understand that Jobs, seemingly more than anyone, was often misunderstood because he would say things that on face value, seemed pretty off-base. And it’s not surprising – he did that a lot in his younger years.

But certainly – if any mobile device requires other independent parts to work well, it’s a red flag. Ideally, optional stuff is indeed “optional” in every sense of the term. I have many “optional” features for iOS and only a few might be considered things that Apple may eventually integrate, but none actually lessen the possibilities of the device materially.

—eric

Using data key references, any spreadsheet document can access the data of another spreadsheet assuming you have access rights to the other sheet. ImportRage() for example allows you to do this in formulas. You can also do it in scripts using Google Apps Scripting services.

Excellent, excellent post. I came to it via the geckoboard blog.

I’m not a JS or XML expert by ANY stretch of the imagination… but I got it working from your post and associated files. You’ve done a fantastic job. Thank you.

Quick question…

You mention that the GIC “can exist in the same sheet or a separate sheet”. If I have it in a separate sheet, how do I reference ranges in other sheets?

Thanks again for your contribution.

Warmest regards

Pete

I understand your position on the stylus, and like you and your wife, my wife and I both use styli with our iPads and on occasion even with iPhone. They work swimmingly well and for certain tasks they are almost necessary for the reasons you cite.

But here’s a more comprehensive view of Steve’s comment. In a way, his terse and seemingly stubborn position is taken out of context. For those that had the benefit of hearing it in context, Steve was very specific in his characterization of a product that came with an integrated stylus.

In his view, a product with an integrated stylus is a problem. He was not referring to a product that can take input from externally developed styli which mimic capacitive touch. Which means – “If you see a stylus, they blew it.” is a materially different position from “Styli are fundamentally bad.”.

I don’t think Jobs ever said styli are bad or styli shouldn’t be used with iOS devices.

I suspect his concerns of an integrated stylus were based on the same reasons I think they’re bad. They are dependent devices – really two devices intended to act as one. Integration complexities, therefore are magnified, and many other dependencies begin to put the design down a rabbit hole.

I love my iPad, but I disagree w/ that comment w/ no respect to Jobs.

More & more I use the iPad for activities I’d normally do on a laptop: the iPad is just so compact & convenient. My wife laughs ’cause I seldom put it down.
I am a const. superintendent, & I see the value of the iPad there as well & am constantly showing my co-workers how handy it is in the field & office.

BUT, like most men, my fingers are too big to deftly touch a small icon….so the stylus is necessary. I shopped around ’til I found one that suits me, & never walk off w/ the iPad w/o it.

My wife is a interior architect/designer, & she uses a different set of styli for drawing…w/ some outstanding results.
Her clients are awed when she sketches over photos, rendering in possible design elements.

The stylus is not a sign of failure.