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Plugins for Microsoft Office for OpenOffice Documents?

Posted by Cliff on from the interoperability-is-good dept.

DeBaas asks: "We are all in favour of getting Open Standards in place so that we can happily use Open/Star/K Office or whatever without the nagging problem: The Microsoft Office users cannot read our files correctly. Much of the focus is on providing filters to be able to make and read Microsoft Office files. However, should it not be the other way around, as well? Would it be feasible to make an open source project providing a plugin to MS office so that it can read and write in our preferred open format. Sort of a 'save as open document standard'. Is there a legal problem?, a technical problem? (is it already possible?) I would love it if I could send documents in OpenOffice knowing the other site can actually use and see it the way I meant to, even with MicroSoft Office."

7 of 89 comments (clear)

  1. That seems like a good idea at first, but... by i_am_nitrogen · · Score: 3, Insightful

    This seems like a good idea initially, but if people can continue using MS Office to communicate with users of OpenOffice.org and StarOffice, then what encouragement do they have to use the free/less expensive alternatives? I think that, while this might encourage a standard document format, it has the negative effect of encouraging MS Office use.

    I hate to say this, but I think in this case the wise choice is to use MS's tactics against itself.

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    1. Re:That seems like a good idea at first, but... by IIEFreeMan · · Score: 5, Insightful

      They will use OpenOffice.org because it's free and i mean not expensive.

      To the public the more important thing is more 'free as in beer' than 'free as in speech'.

    2. Re:That seems like a good idea at first, but... by Darnit · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Not even close to the target. If OpenOffice can read/write MS Office files then the people will send it to you in MS Office format anyway. If they can also read/write OpenOffice files then it is a perfect 2 way street using the default configuration of either Office suite. By showing them that OO files can do everything MS files can do they will consider the switch. Otherwise they will never see the OO format and never think it could be done.

    3. Re:That seems like a good idea at first, but... by fogof · · Score: 3, Insightful

      I think the issue is freedom. Freedom of choice. Why use Ms Office? Because some people would prefer using it.

      Take my grandmother as an example . I got her to use a computer and Ms Word. I don't think she want to learn a new system (even if it's not difficult for you and I). But the thing is, it would be cool if she could send me a recipe for her brownies using an open format, while typing it on a close system.

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    4. Re:That seems like a good idea at first, but... by topside420 · · Score: 5, Insightful
      This seems like a good idea initially, but if people can continue using MS Office to communicate with users of OpenOffice.org and StarOffice, then what encouragement do they have to use the free/less expensive alternatives? I think that, while this might encourage a standard document format, it has the negative effect of encouraging MS Office use.

      I hate to say this, but I think in this case the wise choice is to use MS's tactics against itself.

      Please stop your lame anti-MS FUD. The problem is not that a lot of people are using MS Office and we want them to use OpenOffice/KWord/etc. It is that we want all the offices to be able to open/save documents in a common format.

      In fact, last week, I forgot to put my name on my paper when I saved it. So, when I was at school, I got on my ftp then realized I had saved it as a native OpenOffice document, so I was unable to add my name - and I lost points. Something like this can easily be avoided by all office programs being able to easily comply with AT LEAST one open format.

      I especially dont think we should use MS's tactics against MS. We don't like MS simply *because* of its tactics. I could care less if they made a shitty OS - but, its thier tactics that make it so widespread and monopolized.

      Again, I repeat -- I am not concerned with other peoples choice of office software, as long as it suits them, but it would be better for the masses if each office suite shared a nice file format.

  2. DANG vern... by zogger · · Score: 3, Insightful

    --that's one of the better "can't see the forest for the trees" bingo epiphanies I have read here on slashdot. Outstanding., Ya, it might slow down adoption for these other companies, but so what? Eventually they'll want to move on,more hardware and new software, by then they'll think "hey, might as well use the open stuff, makes mucho sense and cents to do so".

  3. Re:Why use M$ office? by reallocate · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Most individuals don't buy Office -- the people they work for buy it. So, the price is irrelevant to most individual users. They'd use quill pens if that's what the boss wanted, so Microsoft's tactics mean zip to them.

    Of course, MS is trying to protect their market position with Office by manipulating file formats. Why would you expect them to do anything different? MacDonald's manipulates its products and recipes to protect its market position, too.

    I suspect that only people who choose their software for ideological reasons will make an effort to do a standards end-run around Office.

    The real solution here, as elsewhere, is for open source to give consumers something innovative that makes Office obsolete.

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