We started with Visacalc. It ran on a Radio Shack Model II. Later we moved over to Lotus 123. Have many files in WK1. Can open with Excel and Libre and save to Excel. The macros don't work. Have about 200 templates, many that were "production" templates, that is they would do 7 problems per template. In some the output could be linked to another template for a specific task. Example is a plywood shear wall template that would size the plywood or particle board or sheet rock and the end pieces. Then the next template would size the hold down fixture for uplift as well as the sill bolts for sliding. Each template had a current data base. Each template had sections for explanations of input and output and then there was a hidden column (L) that could be expanded that provided all of the documentation for printout to be submitted to the building department if they were requiring documentation for home grown spreadsheets. No data was hidden. All cells could be hand calc checked. These could be all fitted in one master spread sheet that had headers, date and time so one could keep track of the latest print out. One page of the master spreadsheet was an hyperlinked index. Practically eliminated hand written calcs - final version 1990). Developed versions for about 5 to 6 years before within my office of about max 15 engineers (ladies and gentlemen engineers). Serious development in 1990 - 1992. Had various data bases - steel, wood, connections, rebar, bolts, screws - ect. Then Windows and Excel came on the market and no one was interested in DOS, Lotus and our RCT program!
