On 12 Dec, 2006, at 9:59 AM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
On Tue, 12 Dec 2006, Andreas K. wrote:
Tim Keitt <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
I've used LaTeX for years, eventually switching to LyX which I think
is wonderful. I will soon switch exclusively to OpenOffice because
of the need to collaborate with others using MSWord and OOffice.
Well, this points to the need for LyX to be able to import from and
export to MSWord and OOffice, not a nedd for LyX to be written FOR
OpenOffice.
Change tracking is crucial among other things.
LyX has change tracking.
What I occasionally wonder is whether the LyX experience -- easy
structured document editing -- could be brought to OOffice?
LyX is a document publishing editor, OpenOffice and MSWord are word
processors, Scribus is a DTP software, they will never be the same.
Although LyX, OpenOffice and Scribus share some characteristics, and
can be used for the same purpose, they are inherently different,
because of the need of the user.
I think Tim's point is taking the good things from LyX (eg. change
tracking) and getting those into OOffice.
Why couldn't this include the WYSIWYM approach as well as the idea of
working with a document processer rather than a word processor?
I guess my question concerns the differences between a document
processor and a word processor, and why it wouldn't be possible to
make a word processor become more like a document processor.
As for OOffice expected bibliography support and equation editor, I
agree that it's a matter of wait and see.
If you want to write a letter or a novel - use OpenOffice or AbiWord
(which I prefer over OpenOffice Writer.
If you want to write an academic text, a scientific article or book -
use LyX.
What are the drawbacks of using LyX to write a novel or a letter?
The big problem with using LyX to write a novel is that the publisher
will ask you a MS word file. Same thing if you use LyX to write papers
for most humanities and social sciences. Then you are left with the
choice of doing the conversion by hand, or going through some
complicated routes (like going through openoffice). In my opinion, the
greatest possible improvement to LyX would be a one-click
publisher-oriented MS Word converter. That would be a converter that
preserves basic formatting like (font styles), bibliography, etc. and
completely disregards all the real typographical information. I.e. a
converter that assumes the recipient (a publisher) will import the Word
file into a serious DTP program to take care of the typography, and
uses MS Word as a transitional format only.
my two cents.
S.
Or perhaps we should turn the question around. What are the good
things in OOffice that LyX could learn from?
/Christian
--
Christian Ridderström, +46-8-768 39 44
http://www.md.kth.se/~chr
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