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Cloud Version of OpenOffice In the Works

Posted by timothy on from the rather-like-the-non-cloud-version dept.

An anonymous reader writes "The Apache Foundation revealed in Sinsheim, Germany their plans for a cloud version of OpenOffice.org based on HTML5. Chinese and German engineers use OpenOffice in 'headless' mode as a base."

71 comments

  1. exactly what the world needs by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

    Dozens of openoffice users rejoice.

  2. Hey, guys, at least... by InvisibleClergy · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    ...it's not a subscription-based model like the new Microsoft Office products. SICK BURN.

    1. Re:Hey, guys, at least... by jellomizer · · Score: 3, Insightful

      I am not too sure why would need a Cloud version of OpenOffice. A Cloud MS office makes sense as a subscription service you can pay a smaller amount per month/year or whatever vs paying a lot for the full version. OpenOffice is free. You are more or less going to be better off with a local version.

      I am not one of those hate cloud everything. But for office tools you are better off it being a local app unless you cannot afford what you need.

      --
      If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
    2. Re:Hey, guys, at least... by InvisibleClergy · · Score: 1

      Well, a lot of articles on "how to make money with Open Source" mention using Software-as-a-Service, which is what a cloud app is. That's what I was trying to get at with my comment - that makes sense on one level for Open Source, as a way to make money. On the other hand, I have a virulent hatred for the push toward cloud apps which has been going on for years.

    3. Re:Hey, guys, at least... by jellomizer · · Score: 1

      However there isn't much of an advantage to a cloud Office app. Open Source SaaS makes sense for other things especially for systems that need to share information with many people in real time.

      --
      If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
    4. Re:Hey, guys, at least... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      So Open Office in the cloud would have to focus on co-operation on documents to make sense.

    5. Re:Hey, guys, at least... by InvisibleClergy · · Score: 1

      I agree that it is stupid. That's why I possess virulent hatred for "OMG CLOUD EVERYTHING!".

    6. Re:Hey, guys, at least... by PerfectionLost · · Score: 2

      Open Office on the cloud would allow you to run it on a device that supports web browsing, but does not have precompiled binaries. A good example would be a tablet, or smart phone.

    7. Re:Hey, guys, at least... by Hentes · · Score: 1

      I think they want to make a competitor to Google Docs, which utilises the cloud in many ways. For example, multiple users can edit a documet at the same time which can be quite useful.

    8. Re:Hey, guys, at least... by SomePgmr · · Score: 2

      So Open Office in the cloud would have to focus on co-operation on documents to make sense.

      I think you're right on this, it'd be a nice way to add some value. One of the few reasons I ever use google's online office stuff is for quick and easy online collaboration in, say, a spreadsheet some friends and I are using.

      In most cases I'm not interested in setting up traditional version control for documents. Even if I was willing to deal with it, my friends wouldn't be. Sharing a document with any of the locally cached "cloud storage" services involves file locking issues and no live collaboration. Emailing back and forth is worse than any of the above.

      So a google docs style version of Open Office that I could choose to host myself would be pretty cool. I imagine it'd be even better for folks that don't like the idea of Google having access to their stuff (though it doesn't much worry me).

    9. Re:Hey, guys, at least... by linebackn · · Score: 1

      >OpenOffice is free. You are more or less going to be better off with a local version.

      Yea, but the people running a "cloud" version will be able to MAKE money from mining and exploiting your personal data.

      Ironically, the older versions of Open/Star Office had a built in web browser!

    10. Re:Hey, guys, at least... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      However there isn't much of an advantage to a cloud Office app

      Well, being able to log into the library/friend's/brother's computer (or thin client) and edit your resume/etc is a plus. That's kind of what the whole "cloud" thing was originally thought about for. Be it Office, financial, coding, etc.

      I don't like the whole Software-as-a-service approach honestly. I only do one so far (financial, Pocketsmith.com, $5/month). I consider it a web service.

    11. Re:Hey, guys, at least... by thatkid_2002 · · Score: 1

      Oh, so you have a decent office quite on Android or on niche OSes like Haiku? Cool which one is it?
      That's what I thought.
      Also, Open Office does far more formats and functions than Google Docs and I don't know about cloud MS Office, but definitely more formats. You (or your trusted hoster/friend) could also run an instance to ensure lower latency for your local area and better privacy if the software for this service is open sourced.

    12. Re:Hey, guys, at least... by formfeed · · Score: 1

      I am not too sure why would need a Cloud version of OpenOffice. A Cloud MS office makes sense as a subscription service you can pay a smaller amount per month/year or whatever vs paying a lot for the full version. OpenOffice is free. You are more or less going to be better off with a local version.

      Yes, but Google Docs seems to be popular.
      A free, host yourself, or put wherever version of that with collaboration tools built in sounds quite attractive. Even more so, if you think of "hosting" it locally on site and having dumb office computers connect to it.

      Now, if I could only come up with a catchy name for a computer that acts as a local office cloud. "Basement cloud"? "Office in the closet"? - The computer I have in mind would sit there waiting for requests, not connected to a workspace but instead serving ...

    13. Re:Hey, guys, at least... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Perhaps the PHB is now in charge of OO roadmap? For more info, see http://dilbert.com/2012-10-21/

  3. who will host it? by lister+king+of+smeg · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Will this be something you host or that they host. I would like it if I could host a open office cloud server on my own metal. If it is simply hosted on their server farm I may as well use google docs or desktop based open/libre office(.org). Also will it feature plug-ins? A cryptography plug-in that makes use of client side double public key encryption with collaborative editing would be great. For that matter will it have collaborative editing, or a git like document versioning for multiple editors? If so will it allow collaborative work between the cloud version a desktop version? This could be very useful or just something else I never use.

    --
    ---Saying gnome 3 is better than windows 8 not so much a compliment as it is damning with light praise.
    1. Re:who will host it? by yog · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Since it's open source software, currently part of Apache, wouldn't the "cloud" portion of it also be open source? Then you could just download it and have a local OOo server on your LAN. I would love that ability.

      --
      it's = "it is"; its = possessive. E.g., it's flapping its wings.
    2. Re:who will host it? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I am not sure because I have not tried it, but can't you install openoffice on linux and run it on your PC using X?

    3. Re:who will host it? by wed128 · · Score: 1

      I agree, this would be the "Killer App". I'd love to run openoffice on the server, and not have to install and patch it on every machine in my house. It's a pig, but it's better then the alternative...

    4. Re:who will host it? by RabidReindeer · · Score: 1

      I agree, this would be the "Killer App". I'd love to run openoffice on the server, and not have to install and patch it on every machine in my house. It's a pig, but it's better then the alternative...

      YES!!!

    5. Re:who will host it? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You know you can (almost) already do that TODAY? It's not that difficult:

      1. set up a Linux server.
      2. Install OpenOffice (or LibreOffice)
      3. Install an X11 display server in your PC (Xming: http://sourceforge.net/projects/xming/, for example).
      4. Set Xming up to connect to your server
      5. deploy this setup for your users
      6. ...Profit?

    6. Re:who will host it? by wed128 · · Score: 1

      Yea, but avoiding openoffice because it's a resource hog, and running Xming instead, kinda misses the point.

    7. Re:who will host it? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Huh? What part of "I'd love to run openoffice on the server" was not clear to you?

  4. denied by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    502 Bad Gateway.

    Better replace this Apache 2.0.63 with a Nginx due to the heavy traffic to this blogpost. :P

    1. Re:denied by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      what makes nginx better than apache?

    2. Re:denied by jimjag · · Score: 2

      Actually, the error message means that Apache 2.0.63 is working fine; it's the backend, which is likely running Tomcat, which is having problems... and that could be for various reasons.

    3. Re:denied by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It doesn't crap out over a tiny load spike.

    4. Re:denied by jimjag · · Score: 1

      Yep, it was the backend... standard JVM crash. Gotta luv Java.

  5. LibreOffice Online by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    LibreOffice will be doing something similar:
    http://www.muktware.com/news/3509/libreoffice-online-will-be-real-competitor-microsoft-office-365#.UJvrD281nK4

  6. What would be super awesome... by serviscope_minor · · Score: 4, Funny

    Since they're using OpenOffice as a back end anyway, what would be really awesome is if the desktop version could connect to the cloud service as well, so one wouldn't have to only use a not quite right browser based version if you had it installed, and it would have proper access to local files, and would use far fewer resources because nothing can hog up a CPU like a web browser.

    You know, like an native app. But on a real computer. Perhaps we could call it an application. Or just program.

    RTFA? It's slashdotted :(

    --
    SJW n. One who posts facts.
    1. Re:What would be super awesome... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Cool

    2. Re:What would be super awesome... by Darinbob · · Score: 1

      It would also be nice if you could store the documents locally as well, just in case the network goes down or you're at gramma's with her lame DSL.

  7. Copy of slides are here by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    It looks like the referenced article is encountering some load issues. But the slides can be reached directly here: http://www.slideshare.net/pescetti/cloud-apache-openoffice-based-on-html5

  8. Brought to you by the Duke Nukem dev crew? by Andy+Prough · · Score: 2

    How long has an online version of OOo or LO been "in the works"? Maybe ten years? Show me a stinking beta, and quit showing me stinking press releases.

    1. Re:Brought to you by the Duke Nukem dev crew? by thebiss · · Score: 2

      Hardly vaporware: The IBM Lotus team has a very stable beta of "IBM docs" online on the web in their lab. I literally use it every day.

      Public information at https://greenhouse.lotus.com/wpsgh/wcm/connect/ghcontent/lotus+greenhouse+next+site/home/labs/ibm+docs+

      --
      Beware: I believe all are created equal, and have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
    2. Re:Brought to you by the Duke Nukem dev crew? by nzac · · Score: 1

      Its a tougher sell to put LO on the cloud. With no licensing costs you can just install it locally.
      I would be far more excited by a mobile version.

    3. Re:Brought to you by the Duke Nukem dev crew? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      LibreOffice on Ubuntu Nexus 7 and a Model M

    4. Re:Brought to you by the Duke Nukem dev crew? by Andy+Prough · · Score: 1

      That's alright, but they should be finding a way to run it on Android instead of having to install Ubuntu. I could run any program remotely on my Android phone using Splashtop.

  9. Let me guess... by acariquara · · Score: 4, Insightful

    It will load sloooooooooooowly, look like the rich text editor Hotmail had in 2003 and require Java(tm) even though it's HTML5 based? /ducks

    --
    Dear aunt, let's set so double the killer delete select all
    1. Re:Let me guess... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      My thoughts exactly.

  10. Can someone tell me why? by jest3r · · Score: 2

    Why would you use a hosted Office solution in a business environment when you give up ownership of the content you create using such systems because the content is saved onto the cloud?

    Lets say I use a hosted office solution to write a book. It saves by book onto the cloud. Who owns it?

    1. Re:Can someone tell me why? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      You, duh.

    2. Re:Can someone tell me why? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You do dumbass.

    3. Re:Can someone tell me why? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Build your own cloud ... in your own datacenter ... with your own hardware ... and get on with it ...

    4. Re:Can someone tell me why? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Build your own cloud ... in your own datacenter ... with your own hardware ... and get on with it ...

      I'd just install the freaking software locally and be done with it. :)
      Faster, easier and no problems with data leaking out.

    5. Re:Can someone tell me why? by DarwinSurvivor · · Score: 1

      I would hope with OpenOffice being open source that they would release the server side part as well.

    6. Re:Can someone tell me why? by d__123__s · · Score: 1

      Is this a response to Microsoft Office going cloud and subscription based ?

    7. Re:Can someone tell me why? by TheSkepticalOptimist · · Score: 1

      I think the first hosted services company that actually takes someone's intellectual property like a book and publishes it themselves will be about the last thing that hosted services company does.

      While I agree there are issues such as no legal warrant is necessary to access hosted cloud content, most companies like Google, Microsoft and Amazon are going to make damn sure they do not piss off corporate entities by doing something stupid like stealing their intellectual property through their cloud services.

      --
      I haven't thought of anything clever to put here, but then again most of you haven't either.
  11. Why OpenOffice? by yog · · Score: 2

    Maybe this is a dumb question, but why do we still have the split between Open* and Libre*? Now that OpenOffice has been handed off from Oracle to Apache Foundation, isn't it equally open source again? So ideally, the best ideas of both packages should be merged into one product and then the top talent can be applied to improving it.

    I notice LibreOffice is also talking about an online version. To me, this seems like a lot of redundant effort.

    --
    it's = "it is"; its = possessive. E.g., it's flapping its wings.
    1. Re:Why OpenOffice? by muuh-gnu · · Score: 2

      > should be merged into one product

      Which one? And whois going to get the last word on decisions?

      > isn't it equally open source again?

      Open source does not imply that there somehoiw should be only one application of its kind.

      On the contrary, isnt having forks the whole point of open source?

      Asking why OpenOffice and LibreOffice should coexist is like asking why OSX and Windows should coexist, or why Linux and FreeBSD should coexist.

    2. Re:Why OpenOffice? by aNonnyMouseCowered · · Score: 1

      "Maybe this is a dumb question, but why do we still have the split between Open* and Libre*?"

      LibreOffice is under some version of the GPL. OpenOffice is under a more permissive free software licence. Changes can flow from OpenOffice to LibreOffice but not the other way around.

    3. Re:Why OpenOffice? by wed128 · · Score: 1

      Or why EGCS and GCC coexist...

      They should handle this the same way, and just start calling LibreOffice Openoffice.

  12. LibreOffice is where the real action is by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Informative

    LibreOffice is where the real action is. They even import bug fixes from Apache Office if there are any not yet fixed in LibreOffice yet. Though activity at Apache seems really slow, so it isn't much work. So technically you can consider them merged in the LibreOffice code base. LibreOffice has much more features than Apache Office and Apache Office doesn't have any features not in LibreOffice.

    1. Re:LibreOffice is where the real action is by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      LibreOffice is where the real action is. They even import bug fixes from Apache Office if there are any not yet fixed in LibreOffice yet

      That really does sounds action-packed.

  13. Here's an idea... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Let's improve the desktop version before we reinvent the wheel with an online version. Please. Pretty please.

  14. Is this just a copy of LibreOffice Cloud? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Is this just a copy of LibreOffice On-Line (LOOL)?
    http://people.gnome.org/~michael/data/2011-10-14-lool.pdf
    That was developed more than a year ago.

    1. Re:Is this just a copy of LibreOffice Cloud? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Is this just a copy of LibreOffice On-Line (LOOL)?

      Yes. But the Libre people are doing it for the loolz.

  15. IBM Docs != OpenOffice/Symphony by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    IBM Docs is the future of ODF documents and cloud at IBM. IBM decided to dump Symphony and IBM Docs is a completely new code base.
    It is certainly nice, but completely proprietary :{ Apache did get some of the abandoned Symphony code though, so it isn't all lost. But don't expect much more development on it except for old customers. New customers will be moved to the new IBM Docs product.

  16. So -- it's far worse than Duke Nukem... by Andy+Prough · · Score: 1

    It's IBM's 5,000th attempt to "reinvent the office productivity suite". How incredibly useful. I guess 2013 will be "The Year of MS Office Migration" then??

    Yeah - take back my earlier comment. I DO NOT want to see the beta.

    1. Re:So -- it's far worse than Duke Nukem... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      IBM do a lot of things very well. consumer and user software is definitely NOT one of them. Add at least a couple of decades to that year. They have about as much chance of making usable cloud office software as your average village idiot.

  17. YAY! by Arancaytar · · Score: 3, Funny

    Finally we get a suite combining the security and reliability of the cloud with the speed of OpenOffice and Java. Just throw in the usability of MS Office, and you're done.

    1. Re:YAY! by Capt.DrumkenBum · · Score: 1

      Thanks. Now I will be having nightmares for at least a month!

      --
      If I were God, wouldn't I protect my churches from acts of me?
    2. Re:YAY! by bindo · · Score: 1

      They have been trying to throw in the usability of MS Office for a while now! Thank goodness the ribbon thing is a little too hard...

  18. OpenOffice forecast, 42 style by zapyon · · Score: 2

    Mostly cloudy.

    SCNR

    --
    I like my spaghetti with source.
  19. What will the rest of us use? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Chinese and German engineers use OpenOffice in 'headless' mode as a base.

    So... what will the rest of us use as a base?

  20. LibreOffice non-vaporware by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    LibreOffice on Ubuntu Nexus 7

  21. One group already has LO running online by Andy+Prough · · Score: 1

    Its a tougher sell to put LO on the cloud. With no licensing costs you can just install it locally. I would be far more excited by a mobile version.

    http://spoon.net/. They've got a plugin that you can install on a Windows computer to run cloud versions of a bunch of free desktop apps. Worked pretty good on one machine for me today. But you are right - it needs to work on Mobile - Android, iOS, etc...

    1. Re:One group already has LO running online by nzac · · Score: 1

      There is a portable version (have not tried it) or installer that's about 200MB or less.
      I think most people would prefer to use a cloud storage app and run it locally.

      They got it working with broadway (gtk app to webpage) a while back so if you really want it its possible to do it yourself.

    2. Re:One group already has LO running online by lister+king+of+smeg · · Score: 1

      that is still a pc port though not a phone or tablet version. the portable one you linked to is meant to be installed on a USB drive and moved between PC's. So portable but not mobile.

      --
      ---Saying gnome 3 is better than windows 8 not so much a compliment as it is damning with light praise.
  22. screw the "Cloud" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Ask anyone in New Jersey or NYC what they think about the "Cloud" when they don't have Internet access for 1 week+....

    Stupid is as Stupid does.