[zamalek]

I mostly agree, however one point I disagree very strongly with is the first: An Excel/development IDE – like user interface

IDEs are horrible, horrible examples of interface design I can easily agree with that. However,

> Excel is the most unconstrained application most people know, and a lot of software starts out as an Excel sheet before growing up into ‘real’ software.

Usability comes first and foremost. If most people are familiar with Excel that means that the Excel interface language is a good language (if not the best). I don't care if it doesn't sate the desire for an "elegant" user interface. The fact is that nearly all users already know how to use the interface and are extremely proficient with it: what more could you possibly want out of an interface? Scrolly fiver-finger gestures and other complete shit that you don't need? YAGNI.

We make huge sales based on usability. Our bigger customers have historically placed us into a competition during our initial sales pitch. If the sale ends up in that situation we always win. Why? Because by the time customers are using our software to build toy/test solutions our competitors are still training the customer. Why? Because usability comes first and foremost, because our UX guys don't let pet peeves about Excel get in the way of making great and usable interfaces.

If you can "unconstrain" your solution enough to make it fit into a spreadsheet then I say, "go for it."