Why the Spreadsheet Must Be Social

Thirty years ago, Dan Bricklin's VisiCalc spreadsheet program spawned the PC revolution because he built an application that had immediate value to millions of people. Now, as social software becomes more pervasive at work, apps like the spreadsheet must evolve as well. In this discussion, Bricklin will discuss the importance of making the spreadsheet social, and how the familiarity of such an app can serve as a starting off point for people looking to utilize other bits of social software to get their jobs done.

Dan Bricklin is currently president of Software Garden, Inc., a small consulting firm and developer of software applications that he founded in 1985.

Throughout his career, Mr. Bricklin has created innovative, cutting-edge products. Bricklin is best known for codeveloping VisiCalc, the first electronic spreadsheet, while he was a student at the Harvard Business School. VisiCalc is widely credited for fueling the rapid growth of the personal computer industry.

In addition to Software Gargen, Dan Bricklin also works with Socialtext developing SocialCalc, the social spreadsheet for businesses.

About Software Garden:

Software Garden, Inc., is a company founded in 1985 by Dan Bricklin. It develops and markets software tools he creates, and provides consulting services mainly performed by him. It also makes him available as a speaker. Best known as the original source of the very popular and award-winning Dan Bricklin's Demo Program in the late 1980's, the company is a vehicle through which Dan provides new innovation and participates in the software industry first hand.

About Socialtext: Socialtext applies Web 2.0 technologies to the critical challenges facing businesses. With an integrated enterprise social software platform, Socialtext provides microblogging, social networking, wikis, social spreadsheets, and activity streams. The company has more than 5,000 customers, and is based in Palo Alto, CA.