Just as Google releases Spreadsheets (a total non-event for serious Excel users), an interesting discussion surfaced on Slashdot. The article links to an interesting paper by Raymond R. Panko at University of Hawai'i about what is known about spreadsheet errors. The conclusion says:
"All in all, the research done to date in spreadsheet development presents a very disturbing picture. Every study that has attempted to measure errors, without exception, has found them at rates that would be unacceptable in any organization. These error rates, furthermore, are completely consistent with error rates found in other human activities. With such high cell error rates, most large spreadsheets will have multiple errors, and even relatively small "scratch pad" spreadsheets will have a significant probability of error."
Also, the article links to the European Spreadsheet Risks Interest Group (EuSpRIG) and its collection of public reports of spreadsheet errors.
