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Is OpenOffice.org a Threat? Microsoft Thinks So

Posted by Soulskill on from the peter-those-are-cheerios dept.

Glyn Moody writes "Most people regard OpenOffice.org as a distant runner-up to Microsoft Office, and certainly not a serious rival. Microsoft seems to feel otherwise, judging by a new job posting on its site for a 'Linux and Open Office Compete Lead.' According to this, competing with both GNU/Linux and OpenOffice.org is 'one of the biggest issues that is top of mind' for no less a person than Steve Ballmer. Interestingly, a key part of this position is 'engaging with Open Source communities and organizations' — which suggests that Microsoft's new-found eagerness to 'engage' with open source has nothing to do with a real desire to reach a pacific accommodation with free software, but is simply a way for Microsoft to fight against it from close up, and armed with inside knowledge."

4 of 467 comments (clear)

  1. Still using old Gnome office suite by suso · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Actually, I more prefer Abiword and Gnumeric over OO.o. They are quick and snappy and suit my needs. Plus, Gnumeric is the backend to editgrid.com, which means that if I upload a spreadsheet there with graphs and stuff, it preserves it.

    1. Re:Still using old Gnome office suite by GaryOlson · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      As much as I am impressed by EditGrid's honesty and apparently new focus, how long do you expect them to survive? I have been searching for this kind of functionality on and off for a while, and this is the first I have heard of EditGrid.

      --
      Every mans' island needs an ocean; choose your ocean carefully.
  2. amen by Agent+Whim · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    The iPhone is the way, the truth, and the life. No one can call the Father except through the holy handset.

    1. Re:amen by paiute · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      And the iSlate is its prophet. (Allah bless it and give it peace and clear wifi connections all of its battery life, may it be long.)

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      If Slashdot were chemistry it would look like this:Cadaverine