On Fri, Apr 03, 2009 13:14:59 PM +0100, Ron wrote: > I use and prefer Openoffice.Org . Its an excellent program. > > However my correspondents use only MS Word and the command open > with, does not work. How do we get around this problem ???
Ron, the problem you have encountered is that OpenOffice.Org uses a completely open file format, developed and maintained through worldwide cooperation, called OpenDocument. The producers of Microsoft Word could add support for this file format to their program. So far, however, they have never done it because if they offered an alternative to their own, secret file format, people would be finally free to REUSE THEIR OWN DOCUMENTS with other programs. So the people in real trouble are your correspondents, who are still imprisoned inside MS Word. In practice, there are several alternatives, you're the only one who can judget which is the better or most practicable in your own case. 1) if your correspondent have a recent version of MS Word, they can and should install the free plugins for the OpenDocument format. This is the easiest solution for them, also because OpenDocument files will become more and more in the future 2) they could switch to using OpenOffice 3) you can choose the "Save As" function and save only the files that you have to email to those people in MS Word or RTF format To know more about why secrets file formats are bad, you're welcome to read this slideshow (don't worry, it isn't technical at all): http://mfioretti.com/how-file-formats-can-be-used-favor-or-hamper-innovation-active-citizenship-and-really-free-markets Best Regards, Marco Fioretti -> http://mfioretti.com -- Your own civil rights and the quality of your life heavily depend on how software is used *around* you: http://digifreedom.net/node/84 --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: discuss-unsubscr...@openoffice.org For additional commands, e-mail: discuss-h...@openoffice.org
