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ODF Offers MS Word Plugin to MA
Goalie_Ca writes "Groklaw just posted that the OpenDocument Foundation is offering Massachusetts a plugin that could 'allow Microsoft Office to easily open, render, and save to ODF files, and also allow translation of documents between Microsoft's binary (.doc, .xls, .ppt) or XML formats and ODF ... The testing has been extensive and thorough. As far as we can tell there isn't a problem, even with Accessibility add ons, which as you know is a major concern for Massachusetts.'"
...till ODF's plugin won't run.
Watch for this, in an automatic "security" update coming soon.
I imagine several confirmation boxes asking you to engage in a binding legal agreement saying that you understand that Microsoft did not write the plugin, and holding Microsoft harmless in the event that the plugin does not translate documents correctly, damages your computer, or directly causes terrorist attacks on the United States.
"How to Do Nothing," kids activities, back in print!
Not trying to be trollish but doesn't Open Office and the like support RTF? I mean, while this new open document format may be more flexible than RTF the bottom line is that Microsoft has always and will probably always ship MS Word with universally accepted formats. Hell, Windows comes with a "free" RTF editor.
So what's so great about this new format? Unless this format can convert every single style of MS's ".doc" format than it's really nothing more than another universally accepted format.
I guess what bugs me is that there are tons of people on here shouting "Now we can convert to OO while using MS Word".... I thought you could all along...
I'm looking for serious answers to this.
Dedicated Cthulhu Cultist since 4523 BC.
> No, for many reasons.
> First, because it uses a published plugin API that Microsoft provides
> specifically for third parties to create Office plugins.
I don't know.
> Second, because the DMCA doesn't prohibit circumvention of file formats,
> but of encryption implementations.
BULLSHIT!!! The DMCA prevents bypassing any electronic lock, of any kind. Anything, even gluing a flap on a disposable camera closed can be considered an "electronic lock."
> Third, because the DMCA only applies when circumvention is done for the
> purpose of copyright violation, and since you own the copyright on
> the documents you create, this would not apply.
BULLSHIT!!! The DMCA makes it a felony (25 year in prison!) for me to play a DVD I bought on Linux.
Frankly, it's fucking idiots like you that brought Hitler to power.
Andy Out!
>>> Third, because the DMCA only applies when
>>> circumvention is done for the
>>> purpose of copyright violation...
>> BULLSHIT!!! The DMCA makes it a felony (25 year
>> in prison!) for me to play a DVD I bought on Linux.
> You own the DVD. You do not own the copyright on the
> DVD. Therefore CSS is a system for protecting a
> copyright that you do not own.
I suggest you re-read the comments.
I'm looking forward to the day that IP laws generate the Second American Civil War.
Andy Out!