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New York Times Plugs OpenOffice Suite
MrNovember writes "The New York Times (registration blah blah) describes a new choice for office suites. The writer seems a bit slanted toward OpenOffice but it's a fair discussion of its pros and cons. The article has identified some interesting compatibility issues to those who aren't using OpenOffice but might. Again we see major media discussing open source as an actual alternative to a longstanding standard. The article concludes amusingly with 'Every now and then, you get what you don't pay for;' just tack on 'Open Source' to the beginning for the perfect sig." We've gotten numerous submissions recently from people whose [company/school/whatever] is switching to OpenOffice.
There is a word for that. It is prepend. If this were graded there would be a -1 Word Choice above that. Come on /. Editors.
Sorry if I'm being pedantic.
I think that this is one of the best ways to promote awareness of OSS. I know many people who are somewhat computer savvy, they know enough that they don't mind trying new things, but they don't seek this sort of stuff out. They don't read all sorts of tech sites, but they do read newspapers. If we could get more coverage of OSS in the tech sections of every day newspapers (most ones that I know have a small tech section in with the business section, or a once a week all-tech section), we could slowly increase awareness of stuff like OpenOffice and Linux.
My other sig is funny!
I doubt programmers want to really give up the salaries they make now, and additionally, production costs for something like a game are astronomical due to the large corpus of people needed to put it together (artists, designers, etc. Thus, I do not see it likely that these initial production costs being recouped tending towards zero anytime soon.
It is a fact. I have helped almost all my family (no geeks in there) migrate from Windows + MSOffice to Linux + OpenOffice with no side effects. If you install a nice system, and add the OpenOffice icon to the KDE desktop, you are done.
How many times does your mom install a new printer? even when she had Windows and she got a new LaserJet she called me!. We all know all the people and institutions that are migrating towards Linux and OO, its just a matter of time to see it as a mainstream.
On the other hand, it would come handy if the WalMart Mandrake PCs come with StarOffice preinstalled and with a HUGE icon in the middle of the desktop for all users.
Life isn't like a box of chocolates. It's more like a jar of jalapenos. What you do today, might burn your ass tomorrow.
1. Ugly fonts
2. Can't read ALL the Word documents
3. Still a bit sluggish
Three! I mean three major gripes!
Seriously, font ugliness is a big problem under linux and it's all X's fault. You've seen the hundreds of people gawking at anti-aliased desktops, it just looks cooler.
I believe there are many articles on exactly why fonts are ugly in linux... I also believe that the lack of cool, MS-compatible fonts (let's face it guys, Truetype was one thing MS carried from Win 3.1 to Win XP for a reason) are because of licensing issues.
The next time a big company wants to donate money to open source, get them to design or fund fonts! That'll get Linux on the desktop. That'll cause secretaries to use OpenOffice and that'll make me happy.
'nuff said.
It brings a smile to my face too. MS is in a frustrating (for them) spot because they do in fact get it: they know that open source is a threat, they know why people like it, they are ready and willing to do whatever it takes to fight... they just can't figure out what to do. It's like the master buggy-maker watching Henry Ford set up shop.
Miko O'Sullivan
You also have to take into account the possibility of failures and delays (sort of like drug companies). Although on a much lesser scale, how many DaiKraptana's can a game company experience before it has to jack up the cost of its decent games indefinitely. Without extended high game costs, how do you think 3DRealms could support a development schedule for Duke Nukem Forever that will probably provide employment for the current developers' children?
I find it amazing that people can be so blind about how the Internet/web is affecting the fundamental economics of the software industry.
I remember back when Microsoft were backslapping saying they had 'turned-on-a-dime' with regard to the Internet, and 'won' the browser wars by giving away IE. I remember thinking - this is the beginning of the end for you, mate. The day MS gave away IE was the start of a new epoch in the software industry which will result in the death of MS. Ironic.
Open Source works great for common software. Specialized software will always be propriatery (Thinking of the Unicenter, OpenView of the world).
How many geeks are going to write software they're not going to use themselves?
Je ne parle pas francais.
That'll get Linux on the desktop.
How often have we heard this phrase.
The speed of time is one second per second.
3. Still a bit sluggish
Last I looked, the Linux version of Microsoft Office didn't exist. When given the choice between "cake or death", most everyone will choose the cake.
--You will rephrase your request for me to go to hell. Goto statements are not acceptable programming constructs
As a personal user, even if you purchase MS Office you don't get support. You can go to a web page and look up info or call them at $??? per call for support. If you want a company behind your office productivity suite spend the bucks and get it from Sun. Most coporations would be inclined to do it this way.
If you are a personal user and the kind to go to the MS website to get your support then searching openoffice.org or google to get help isn't much of a stretch. The only stretching will be from the money left in your wallet.
I suspect that the engines of games will eventually be open source. But look at this:
When you are buying a game, you are buying entertainment, and that content will likely still be proprietary (plots, etc). A compelling game is like a compelling movie, and it is not just the rendering, etc, but it is also the plot, the innovation, and the rest of the content.
Think of games as being part programming and part litterature
LedgerSMB: Open source Accounting/ERP
Caveat: I am an English major.
:)
The problem is that using a hyphen, the "-" character, within a sentence is incorrect usage.
What should be used is the em dash.
The em dash is twice as wide as the hyphen, and is most frequently used to punctuate an abrupt change in thought for emphasis. In no circumstances are there spaces on either side of the mark.
So OpenOffice doesn't really have a "dash" problem; it is flagging incorrect usage. If the author were to use two hyphens--like this--without spaces OpenOffice would change them to em dashes, which would be correct usage.
By the way, journalists aren't know for their command of grammar or spalling.
If 1.5-2.5M federal desktops switched it would be disasterous for Microsoft. Go write, now
Or you could grab the source and patch it :)
If you don't know how then I'm sure an OOo hacker would do it for a cash donation.
Sorry if I'm being pedantic.
Not at all. There is far too little pedantry in the world today. Keep up the good work.
-x