matt sephton
@gingerbeardman.com
1.4K followers 2.8K following 2K posts
Indie Dev since 1990. #YOYOZO GOTY 2023. Retro Games. Hanafuda. System 7 on iPad. Macintosh Magazine Media. Previously: Apple https://blog.gingerbeardman.com
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Surprise! I made the built-in game for @perplexitycomet.bsky.social it was so much fun working with such a dream team at Perplexity.
Reposted by matt sephton
gingerbeardman.com
😂 you're welcome, I guess 💃🪦🕺
gingerbeardman.com
gingerbeardman.com
Whilst it’s a hot topic, I've turned this discussion of using spreadsheets to help design user interfaces into a blog post

blog.gingerbeardman.com/2025/10/11/h...
Reposted by matt sephton
hak007.bsky.social
I think spreadsheet software is amazing. Besides inherent capabilities of sheets, cells, and formulas, it has a rich coding environment. I'm retired, pushing 80, and am writing (with the help of ChatGPT) code to support a non-profit continuing-education org using Excel. It's been a lot of fun.
Reposted by matt sephton
heidicurties.bsky.social
Spreadsheets are where non-engineers build interfaces, logic, and data models without even realizing it. The grid isn’t just layout it’s language.
gingerbeardman.com
gingerbeardman.com
It’s a common misunderstanding that spreadsheets are only 2D, when in fact they are infinite dimensions. Just add an extra sheet for each additional dimensions. The concept is explained at 19:14 in this video from 1988: youtu.be/eAiZBUYNUBA?...
The Computer Chronicles - Spreadsheet Wars (1988)
YouTube video by The Computer Chronicles
youtu.be
gingerbeardman.com
Whilst it’s a hot topic, I've turned this discussion of using spreadsheets to help design user interfaces into a blog post

blog.gingerbeardman.com/2025/10/11/h...
gingerbeardman.com
👌😎 keep on truckin’
gingerbeardman.com
Check out this demo of that 3D spreadsheet functionality in Lotus 1-2-3 Release 3, on The Computer Chronicles in 1988 youtu.be/eAiZBUYNUBA?...
The Computer Chronicles - Spreadsheet Wars (1988)
YouTube video by The Computer Chronicles
youtu.be
gingerbeardman.com
Compare with plain paper v grid paper vs Photoshop. In many cases grid paper would win for drawing a quick icon sketch.
gingerbeardman.com
Thanks! Not in my experience. Results are instant in a spreadsheet, and as easy as typing. More powerful tools can undoubtedly do more, but by the time you get it up and running I've already finished 😎. The idea is to solve the problem at its core, with no distractions.
gingerbeardman.com
It’s a common misunderstanding that spreadsheets are only 2D, when in fact they are infinite dimensions. Just add an extra sheet for each additional dimensions. The concept is explained at 19:14 in this video from 1988: youtu.be/eAiZBUYNUBA?...
The Computer Chronicles - Spreadsheet Wars (1988)
YouTube video by The Computer Chronicles
youtu.be
gingerbeardman.com
That’s a very narrow point of view. I used a spreadsheet to lay our the user interface for a game I received a GOTY accolade for in 2023. 😎
gingerbeardman.com
The circle of life is complete
gingerbeardman.com
These are amazing. What are they exactly? Any links?
gingerbeardman.com
It's World Mental Health Day 2025! 🧠

And I just donated my #Playdate earnings to The Cybersmile Foundation 💸

So it's doubly important to remember that we need to stand up to bullies and harassers, even if it's uncomfortable or puts you out. I did just that as recently as yesterday!
gingerbeardman.com
"There are lies, damned lies, and statistics." en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lies,_d...
gingerbeardman.com
Indeed! It's such a fascinating and multifaceted story. If there isn't a book (I've not found one) there should be.

The Computer Chronicles:
"Spreadsheet Wars" (1988)
youtu.be/eAiZBUYNUBA
The Computer Chronicles - Spreadsheet Wars (1988)
YouTube video by The Computer Chronicles
youtu.be
gingerbeardman.com
Perhaps a refresher on the history of the spreadsheet is required? The history is so much deeper and more interesting than just VisiCalc and Excel.

VisiCalc didn't keep up with progress and went bankrupt in 1985, at which time it was bought by Lotus and shuttered.
gingerbeardman.com
Hand-written accountancy worksheets, LANPAR, VisiCalc, Lotus 1-2-3, Excel, Numbers, Google Sheets...it's just progress. There are winners and there are losers.
Reposted by matt sephton
clitcommander.bsky.social
If something cannot be visually explained by columns and rows, it cannot be explained at all.
gingerbeardman.com
Add extra sheets for as many dimensions as you need