Sorry to revive this after a while of no response, but I've only just now found time *to* respond.
John Hasler <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Amy writes: > > By "decoders" I mean things like antiword that remove all the > > nasty binary blobs and leave the ASCII text. > Format converters. Sure. > > Does the new version of M$-Word include some sort of code for > > embedding movies now? > Probably, but that's irrelevant. > > On what level is that even necessary or even desirable? > When has that ever stopped Microsoft from adding a "feature"? Touché. > > Can I or can I not (reasonably) depend on such software's > > (antiword and the like) remaining legal? > Yes, of course you can. Well, that is a good thing. I'm just paranoid about getting dependent on a system that may not work later. > > [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Chris Bannister) wrote: > > > But if the M$ program somehow encrypts its documents so that > > > is the only program that can read it, then I don't think > > > *any* format converter will help you. Yeah, good point. *Sigh*. I really wish that they would just quit being evil (or at least that more people would see it)! > > > Kevin Mark <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > > Amy Templeton wrote: > > > > > [SNIP complaints about Blackboard Course Management > > > > > Software] > > > > I've attended a few meeting at NYU involving free culture, > > > > free software and law. The nyu free culture folks wanted to > > > > replace 'blackboard' because of their software patent and > > > > such. They are now testing a replacement[0] called 'alex'. Ooh, cool. I mean, I doubt they'll switch over, but it's worth looking into. [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Andrew M.A. Cater) wrote: > > > > > > [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Andrew M.A. Cater) wrote: > > > > > > > [snip previous point about proprietary formats > > > > > > > destroying the ability to archive documents when they > > > > > > > go out of style] > > > > > > You might want to look at Jeremy Allison's blog about > > > > > > his problems with a friend's computer and MS Office > > > > > > 2007. It says more than I ever could. (Also linked from > > > > > > www.linuxtoday.com) That is an interesting article! It has officially been added to my arsenal. Thanks! > > [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Chris Bannister) wrote: > > > Don't bash M$ at every chance you get. No worries...I find people are more receptive if I leave their choice of OS alone. > > > In reality, the presence of Vista should really help you if > > > people are shown the docs which explain the dangers. Good point. I will keep this in mind. Amy -- Day of inquiry. You will be subpoenaed.