The usability reviews of MSO 2007 place it well below OpenOffice.org,
though that does not mean there isn't room for improvement. The price
point for MS Office 2007 isn't so good either. It comes with more baggage
than MS Office 2003, and that has seen record low uptake.
Some of the main disadvantages of MSO 2007 include limited choice of
platforms, ties to MS Sharepoint, lack of OpenDocument (ISO/IEC 23600)
support, and affliction with DOCX.
The limited choice of platforms speaks for itself: it only runs on
outdated architectures (x86) on systems unsuited for operation in a
networked environment. Nuff sed there.
MS Sharepoint introduces single point of failure several times over (e.g.
network and server), plus there is the DRM problem.
OpenDocument aka ISO/IEC 23600 is already supported by close to three
dozen applications and is a must-have for interoperability. Many
governments mandate open formats. Currently, OpenDocument is the furthest
along of the two contenders. The other format, the Uniform Office Format,
is in the process of harmonization with OpenDocument.
Half-baked specs like DOCX aka MOOX aka OOXML aka Ecma 376 are a
liability. It's not fully documented, not implemented by any other
vendors, hard to parse, and of unclear licensing-- especially in the US
where software patents create a minefield for users and developers alike.
Back to the usability, OpenOffice.org is definitely heading in the right
direction. However, the logical next step IMHO would be to pare down the
size.
Regards,
-Lars
Lars Noodén ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
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