Act2 is back...

In the early 2000's, Act2, Japan's premiere software distributor, represented Mariner Software. After a run of success, long story short, we parted ways and decided to represent ourselves in Japan.

Fast forward a few years.

We met up with Act2 at WWDC, showed them a few of our new offerings, and, effective now, Act2 is again representing the Mariner line in Japan.

Welcome back, Japan.

Mike

Our days are "numbered" by Numbers, I don't think so.

Yesterday Apple released Numbers, the long-awaited spreadsheet module to iWork. Not coincidentally I received about 100 calls from colleagues and friends (ok, maybe 100 is an exaggeration!) asking what Mariner was going to do. My answer to all of them?

Nothing.

Mariner Calc has been around for more than a decade. We've seen spreadsheets come and go, and yet, we are one of the only few that have stuck around. We will continue on with our goals of revamping Calc (and Write) and continue supporting our thousands of customers. I don't really know how Numbers stacks up as we are still testing it internally but, if I were to guess, it's probably going to be perfect for some, but come up short for others. One of the things we have learned over the years about spreadsheet users is that they are a fickle bunch. Let's face it, there's not a lot of sex appeal or "wow factor" when it comes to spreadsheets (excluding some graphs which can be impressive). There's only so many gui improvements one can make with a cell or a column! That being said, if anyone can turn a spreadsheet into a jaw-dropping piece of software, it's Apple. But, for most regular spreadsheet users, I would guess that's one of the least important components to a spreadsheet.

We'll keep everyone in the loop on our thoughts with our opinions on Numbers as we move forward.

thanks
Mike

The Bridge Collapse Tragedy and Mariner...

Unless you have been vacationing in the most obscure parts of the world for the last few days, you probably know that the 35W bridge here in Minneapolis, collapsed this week. While none of the Mariner employees or families were on the bridge, our hearts do go out to those family and friends who have been affected. This bridge is only a mile and a half away from the Mariner office so it's one that, personally, I have travelled on numerous times. The area is now obviously roped off so people can't get very close but, even from a distance, the magnitude of something so large being reduced to a twisted mass of steel and concrete is really difficult to grasp. It's the sort of scene that remnds me of an action movie. Very surreal, very dramatic, and almost dream-like. It's really a miracle so many people survived. Keep the families of the unaccounted in your thoughts and prayers.


Mike