File formats matter

Oops, shouldn’t have let the work experience kid plan this!

https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-54423988

Conversation 6 comments

  • waethorn

    05 October, 2020 - 3:59 pm

    <p>This is common in governments.</p><p><br></p>

  • venuvedam

    05 October, 2020 - 5:35 pm

    <p>The most irritating aspect are the headlines that scream "Excel glitch". It is not a glitch in the software. It is basically muppets using the software where it shouldn't be. </p>

  • minke

    05 October, 2020 - 7:32 pm

    <p>Always blame the hammer when you hit your thumb!</p>

    • wright_is

      Premium Member
      07 October, 2020 - 12:56 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#583905">In reply to Minke:</a></em></blockquote><p>Using the right too for the job. There are much better tools out there for analysing large data sets, including a version of Excel newer than 2007!</p>

  • phil_adcock

    06 October, 2020 - 12:05 pm

    <p>Would think a large government would have already tested and known the max that a format could hold. With data being as easily available as it is today. I can imagine in future years new formats being created to compress data to smaller file sizes while still retaining all the data without loss.</p>

  • hrlngrv

    Premium Member
    06 October, 2020 - 2:57 pm

    <p>Whoever implemented the system which consolidated the other files should have been explicit about the file type expected. Bonus if they had given reasons for that file type.</p><p>Consolidation should have been a database operation, so submitted .XLS files should have been a red flag if CSV files had been expected. It seems there was also ample lack of communications.</p>

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