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Don't Expect an OpenOffice/LibreOffice Merger
Since Oracle has decided to give OpenOffice back to the community, a lot of people wondered if there would be some sort of re-unification with the ex-Oracle and the Document Foundation run by a lot of the original involved folks. The latter has released a statement saying, "the development of TDF community and LibreOffice is going forward as planned, and we are always willing to include new members and partners. We will provide as many information as we can with the progress of the situation. We are currently making every possible effort to offer a smooth transition to the project."
So after all that work of building up a brand with the horribly awkward name "OpenOffice.org", now they're going to throw it all away and try to get an even more awkward name accepted.
They must like a challenge.
Why would I expect a merger? It feels like they only forked a couple of months ago.
which is totally what she said
a dangerous move to merge back , Oracle cannot be trusted.
So after all that work of building up a brand with the horribly awkward name "OpenOffice.org"
There may have been some feet stomping and pleading, but to virtually every person I've ever spoken to it was just "OpenOffice".
"People who think they know everything are very annoying to those of us who do."-Mark Twain
LibreOffice is a better name anyway. OpenOffice.org sounds kind of infomercial-ish, and very 90s.
Been using Libre Office since the first release (sorta buggy, but from second on, it's much more solid than Open Office ever was). Without the drag from the corporate offices, releases seem Really Fast (compared to the Open Office process) and easier to install, probably because of the shorter lag between underlying package releases and Office releases. I think the smaller group seems to have it together, and I sorta like it being fully independent (like Linux is). So in conclusion, let's just keep it the way it is....
-- Ancient (IBM 1620 and Atari 400) Programmer
They could call it ShitOffice for all I cared. It can save in docx format, not perfectly of course, but better than Office can save in Open Document format, and that means within the next month or two OpenOffice is coming off all our machines.
The world's burning. Moped Jesus spotted on I50. Details at 11.
Oracle has three things of value for the community:
The Copyrights
Oracle still owns the copyrights of OpenOffice. Everybody will be able to use, modify, and distribute OpenOffice under the rights granted in the license, which never terminates. That license is LGPL2 for versions before 3.0, and LGPL3 for 3.0 beta and later, and the PDL for documentation. However, if the copyrights were transferred to a non-profit foundation, that foundation would be able to re-license OpenOffice as licenses develop. Laws change over time, and licenses must change to meet them. It would also be possible for the non-profit to enforce the larger part of the copyright rights. Currently, individual contributors or the project as their representative can enforce the copyright rights and license terms only on post-Oracle modifications. It would also be able to protect OpenOffice against pernicious changes in the commercial copyright holder. Products and companies get sold and change management. Remember that SCO was a "friendly" Linux company called Caldera before they went on their legal rampage. 501(c)3's, however, can devise covenants that keep their copyrights public property forever, and are legally limited to disburse their holdings only to other 501(c)3's on dissolution.
The Domain
OpenOffice.org is well known, and most instances of the software on user systems still reference it. Transferring this to a non-profit would be helpful.
Patents
Oracle might hold patents that read on OpenOffice, or could be used to defend it against other companies that bring patent suits. We can use Oracle's patents that are embedded in OpenOffice under the terms of the LGPL2 and LGPL3. But it would be nice to have some help in defending the program.
How Oracle Can Hurt
Oracle can hurt by trying to muscle the non-profit into accepting some sort of control from Oracle, be it a board position or something else. We have ample evidence that the project, since 1999, did poorly in gaining developers under a corporation's control. And if anything, Oracle makes other companies less comfortable than Sun would have. It's time for the project to be independent. The project should reject any offers that come with a demand for continuing control.
Thanks
Bruce
Bruce Perens.
Are you aware that there are languages other than English?
There's no -1 for "I don't get it."
Around the time of the split, I decided to give IBM Lotus Symphony a try. It's based on Open Office and so far I'm really happy with it. No real interest in going back to Open Office, and no need to try LibreOffice at this point.
Funny choice, because frankly unless there only goal is to make it popular in France ShitOffice would probably be a better name than leber-office (which is how I've heard everyone pronounce it so far, followed by WTF or WTH? )
Seriously is there like a bylaw or something that says every damned FOSS app has to have a shitty/stupid/smartass name? Would you drink Fungus coffee? How about a Goatse choc bar? Maybe wash your hair with moneyshot shampoo? No? Then WTF!
Would have really been so God damned hard, would it have REALLY put you out, to simply name it something like Freedom Office? Or Sharing Office? Names matter folks and the pretentious bullshit names really don't help your cause. At least open office (which FYI NOBODY called it OO.o) gave it a nice friendly sounding name. its open, like open house. Simple, easy, smart.
So PLEASE for the love of all that is good and decent pick another damned name, or just bundle the damned thing with the Gimp and label under "shit nobody uses cause it just sounds nasty". I'd love to see FOSS guys name a soft drink, they'd probably be trying to sell ballsack cola or some shit, where the initials came out to something smug. Give me a break.
ACs don't waste your time replying, your posts are never seen by me.
Comment removed based on user account deletion
Have you ever wondered if that name sounded that bad in other languages? You know, the stuff 90% of earth talks with...
Write boring code, not shiny code!
Why does the name have to reflect the fact that it's free? Those types of names always sound pretentious, and "Freedom Office" is much worse than LibreOffice ever could be (which is impressive). I shouldn't have to feel like a hippy just because of my choice of office suite. (Then again, maybe some people want that.)
If you can't convince them, convict them.
Thats a dumb argument, usually names are translated. I bet they don't call it "Microsoft Office" in Germany. Also the development team is English speaking for the most part. The name isn't even that bad, whats worse are Android and Ubuntu versions, and even somewhat Apple's cat themed versions. Snow Leopard > Leopard > Panther? What criteria did they use to reach that conclusion? Which one looked most likely to taste the best? LibreOffice is fine actually. It makes a hell of a lot more sense than Intrepid Ibex or Froyo. Granted those are version names, but still. LibreOffice is not at all the worst offender in FOSS naming.
If I can just reach out with my words and touch a butthole, just one, it will all be worth it.
How do you define "Third World" exactly?
Rudolf Hess edited Mein Kampf. He was the very first grammar nazi.
Then why not sharing office? "Its Sharing office, share with your friends share with your neighbors, its okay by us!" Or Giving Office?" We give our Office software to you, please Give it to your friends and family. It always feels good to give!"
Hell pick Anything short, catchy, easy for all to pronounce and understand, and memorable. It seems like FOSS goes out of their way to be real smug douchebags when it comes to names, and frankly its uncalled for number one, and doesn't help sell your product number two. You DO want to have people use this, yes? you DO want it to be popular so that open formats can replace .doc yes?
So help your damned cause by stop being smug assholes! Names matter, which is why you are not drinking fartbreath cola and having a flaming gasbag burrito for lunch. or how about just "Free Office Suite"? Hell anything would be better than leber office. They should have to show that name to 100 random individuals in a dozen countries and see how many both pronounce it correctly AND knows WTF it means. If you don't score AT LEAST 70% then the name sucks and needs to go. Is it really so much to ask that the common man understand what your product is?
ACs don't waste your time replying, your posts are never seen by me.
Both suck. Do not want.
Thank you for taking the time to inform us of your indifference. Would you care to make a list of other subjects you are not interested in? Maybe provide an XML feed, so I can have it as a widget on my phone?
Let me make a few suggestions to get the ball rolling:
The fall of the roman empire was gay!
Aroma therapy sucks balls.
I don't give a fuck about Alexander Hamilton.
On second thought, I think I'll make my own feed.