Not really, in org-mode, you can compute columns using expressions (like in a spreadsheet) [1]. Moreover, you can feed a table to an (executable) source code block and/or you can store the output of a source code block to a table.
Just to give an example why this could be useful: suppose that you have a code snippet that produces some statistics. You can execute this snippet directly in the org-mode document and have the result in an org table. Then, you could execute another code snippet (e.g. using R) that uses the table as the input and produces a graph that is embedded inline in your org document. In GUI Emacs, you can even preview the resulting graph.
My primary criticism is that the value of org-mode documents decreases enormously outside Emacs.
I still use emacs in '-nw' mode because, I don't know, I'm old, but re: your criticism, skewer-mode[1] is available. Presuming your output is targeting some form of HTML, this enables you to retain the ability to at least present your information locally (on your own file system), to colleagues (authenticate via your existing SSO or whatever), or even to a public site (via a simple git-push to via a standard httpd on a container). I'm sure there are other modes out there, (hell, you could write something from scratch in a few minutes with inotify to cater to all your specific needs). I'd say it'd be more accurate to qualify your statement as such: "the value of org-mode documents decreases as a platform to manipulate (but not distribute) your data outside of emacs"[2].
[1] https://github.com/skeeto/skewer-mode
[2] And even then, modern cell phones have quad-core 1ghz ARMs on them. I was using org-mode with a P3 600, I'm sure modern phones + a Bluetooth keyboard would be sufficient to run emacs, or at least SSH + emacsclient.
I'd say it'd be more accurate to qualify your statement as such: "the value of org-mode documents decreases as a platform to manipulate (but not distribute) your data outside of emacs"[2].
Definitely, that's what I meant. I share org stuff with ox-html or ox-latex. But colleagues cannot really use my org documents unless they are on Emacs.
To your [2] - you can run it, but legibility is kind of a problem. Also, the next Bluetooth keyboard I find that supports remapping Caps Lock to Control will be the first.
