My brother worked at Sierra Geophysics in Kirkland some years before I started at MSFT. He got the bug for computer mapping. At some point he ended up writing code that smoothed out the lines in computer generated topographical maps. He took the passion with him to CO and was one of the last developers standing at HP in Ft Collins. He is still coding as a freelancer.
I ❤️ that Excel has democratized the choropleth map and that the path that led to that democratization began 30 years prior!
Thanks, John! Susan worked at Sierra Geophysics from 1992-1993 or so, before joining the Big M doing UI development. Ft. Collins is a good place to be.
Maps could still use some more love in Excel, but it’s a start!
I feel honored that you included me in the choropleth maps work. Weren't all those heated philosophical conversations we had with our opinionated colleagues fun? I consider it one of my most significant contributions to Excel. A good legacy to leave.
Really interesting! The child example makes me think about how some people are terrible at knowing where they (even in their own city) and others aren't. I love getting lost and use all kinds of markers and techniques to make a map for myself. Makes me think about how the brain works, now.
Also, separately, I remember WYSIWYG ... any thoughts about that and its existence journey in relation to where Excel is now with mapping..?
Thanks, Peppur! I'm glad you liked it. Yes, while the brain is equally capable not everyone has the same capabilities. If I'm in an unfamiliar place I make a point of turning around and looking behind me occasionally so that I can better remember what it looks like on the return trip. I'm not so in love with getting lost. ;)
I remember WYSIWYG well. I assume you mean printing. The truth is, while more and more of the world are moving online more and more printers continue to be sold. Not every chart or graph (or presentation) is amenable to printing (think interactive or animations), but for those that are the ability to print is still critical for all Office apps. Much thought goes into default color schemes to account for this and John Schilling (commenting alongside you) is the mastermind behind it all!
One curious thing that is happening in the world is more and more people in developing countries are first introduced to technology through a phone. So many concepts from the desktop world just don't transfer as well...or at all...like printing. Another is the idea of a 'file'. We've interviewed adults who have never encountered dealing with 'save' or 'files' their whole life but are also more adept at using a phone than most people!
My brother worked at Sierra Geophysics in Kirkland some years before I started at MSFT. He got the bug for computer mapping. At some point he ended up writing code that smoothed out the lines in computer generated topographical maps. He took the passion with him to CO and was one of the last developers standing at HP in Ft Collins. He is still coding as a freelancer.
I ❤️ that Excel has democratized the choropleth map and that the path that led to that democratization began 30 years prior!
Thanks, John! Susan worked at Sierra Geophysics from 1992-1993 or so, before joining the Big M doing UI development. Ft. Collins is a good place to be.
Maps could still use some more love in Excel, but it’s a start!
"Maps could still use some more love in Excel". Dream on, Brad.
Hah! It's all on you now, Callie!
I feel honored that you included me in the choropleth maps work. Weren't all those heated philosophical conversations we had with our opinionated colleagues fun? I consider it one of my most significant contributions to Excel. A good legacy to leave.
Your attention and diligence around effective communication is paramount to keeping data visualization in Excel on the right track. ✊🏼
Really interesting! The child example makes me think about how some people are terrible at knowing where they (even in their own city) and others aren't. I love getting lost and use all kinds of markers and techniques to make a map for myself. Makes me think about how the brain works, now.
Also, separately, I remember WYSIWYG ... any thoughts about that and its existence journey in relation to where Excel is now with mapping..?
Thanks, Peppur! I'm glad you liked it. Yes, while the brain is equally capable not everyone has the same capabilities. If I'm in an unfamiliar place I make a point of turning around and looking behind me occasionally so that I can better remember what it looks like on the return trip. I'm not so in love with getting lost. ;)
I remember WYSIWYG well. I assume you mean printing. The truth is, while more and more of the world are moving online more and more printers continue to be sold. Not every chart or graph (or presentation) is amenable to printing (think interactive or animations), but for those that are the ability to print is still critical for all Office apps. Much thought goes into default color schemes to account for this and John Schilling (commenting alongside you) is the mastermind behind it all!
One curious thing that is happening in the world is more and more people in developing countries are first introduced to technology through a phone. So many concepts from the desktop world just don't transfer as well...or at all...like printing. Another is the idea of a 'file'. We've interviewed adults who have never encountered dealing with 'save' or 'files' their whole life but are also more adept at using a phone than most people!
Thanks, again, for engaging. Now get lost! Hah! 😉 And remember, nobody walks in L.A.! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80WyBxo0Hto