"Myrna Larson" wrote...
Given the ubiquity of Excel, it seems a bit silly for you to talk about a
"virtually universal" standard, isn't it?
....

Your argument is akin to saying not everyone drives on the right hand side
of the road in the US if you choose not to. The failure of some individuals
to adhere to standards (something Microsoft has developed quite a reputation
for doing, er, not doing) doesn't alter the existence of standards, only
their enforceability.

However moot since you've deleted sci.math from the newsgroup to which you
sent your response. The person to whom you responded is likely never to see
your response.