Hi all, First of all I would like to state that I believe that StarOffice (or OpenOffice) is a good productivity package.
There are a few things that have been said here that I would like to comment. Lionel wrote: >I support StarOffice because I am a great believer in open >standards. What is "Standard" about StartOffice? Probably you meant Open Software wich is different. >Now, MS says that their next Office iteration will be XML >based, however, seeing how they "proprietized" open standards like >JavaScript (Jscript), I wouldn't hold my breath. I don't understand the foundation for this accusation against Microsoft. Jon Eaves wrote: >If they make the entire document format transparent then the cost of >shifting from MS-Word to StarOffice, Corel, <whatever> is essentially zero. No No No. The cost of shifting in not concerned with the cost of translated the Data Formats (Word 2 Anything). Why? Because word can save files in RTF format straightforwardly. Furthermore, StarOffice supports the Word format. IMO Microsoft will publish the DTD. Why? Simply if they don't it is easier to crack it then anything else if it is in XML format. So why conceal what can be most probably cracked (unconcealed)? But I believe also that they will not do it right from the start. Just of note: Co-Inventor of XML Says Office 11 is "A Huge Step Forward for Microsoft" http://www.sys-con.com/xml/articlenews.cfm?id=513 Everything that is said in this article can in favor of MS Office can be said in favor of StarOffice. Best regards, Nuno Lopes Independent Consultant -- http://cms-list.org/ trim your replies for good karma.
