RMS: Putting an End to Word Attachments

sombragris writes "I've spotted in NewsForge a very interesting editorial by none other than RMS himself on the subject of getting rid of those annoying MS Word attachment that people send. The essay is worth thinking and doubtless worth implementing." I've found that KWord and Abiword both did a fine job of reading Word files - it's the being able to Save As Word where things get messy.

Comments

Re:RMS spouting off (as usual)

[demaria]

"Honestly, the people that attach word docs are usually the people that give you a blank stare when you say words like 'linux' and 'unix'"

I attach word documents every day. My organization has standardizied on Word, and for good reason too. It works decently, and can read the notes and information vendors send me. The above generalization is so far removed from reality its silly.

Why RMS just doesn't get it...

[sheldon]

First, I realize that this article is probably fictional as I doubt RMS actually receives email with Word attachments.

But I don't think he understands his audience. For when RMS tells someone, "You sent the attachment in Microsoft Word format, a secret proprietary format, so it is hard for me to read."

That person is going to say "Well then buy a real computer, you bone head."

Wow indeed

[UberOogie]

You're kidding, right?

I mean, I'm with you if you mean "reasonable for RMS," but did you read the "polite" responses he had?

Can you imagine how anyone in the mainstream corporate world would react to any of them?

At best, they'd think you're a paranoid loon. At worst, they'd get furious at you and spread their opinions to others.

Tons of people following this advice would be the single biggest setback that free software would have in the corporate world.

That said, an actual polite response would probably get some effect. Something explaining that you do not use Word, what formats you'd accept, and how to do so in Word.