Re: [Marketing] France says OpenOffice.org is not secure enough

2006-08-15 Thread Erwin Tenhumberg

Finn Gruwier Larsen wrote:
It's very interesting to see that Microsoft once again is behind this 
OOo FUD.


Can we use this important information from Simon in an official answer 
to the attack?


I guess we should not use the information and I'm not convinced that it
is a wise thing to do, i.e. get into a direkt fight. From my point of
view there is a way to present the news in a much more positive light:


* Yes, ZIP and XML are open techniques which make it easy for someone
  to include malicious elements. However, the transparent nature of
  these technologies also make it easy to detect malicious elements.

  It's like with open source in general. Yes, on the one hand the
  availability of source code makes it easier to identify and exploit
  security holes. However, for the same reasons issues can be
  identified and fixed faster.

* Yes, the cross-platform scripting support of OpenOffice.org makes it
  possible to run macros (including malicious ones) across platforms,
  and thus the risks are higher. However, at the same time potential
  benefits are higher as well.

  Driving a 500 horse power sports car is theoretically more dangerous
  than 70 horse power compact car because people can drive faster and
  thus kill themselves more easily. However, a sports car does not have
  to be more dangerous. If one drives the sports car accordingly, there
  is no higher risk. And if someone likes to drive fast, because he or
  she thinks it's more fun, than the risk of being killed in a car
  crash is something one has to live with.

* Military government agencies are developing extensions for
  OpenOffice.org. They most likely won't do that if they were seriously
  concerned about the security of OpenOffice.org compared to available
  alternatives.

* Mr. Filiol was impressed by the fast response from the OpenOffice.org
  including Sun Microsystems. There is a very positive quote in the
  report!

* We're happy about the external security audits by organizations like
  the ESAT, because the feedback helps to develop a very secure office
  productivity solution.

* Due to the availability of the source code, companies and government
  organizations can help developing new security features and concepts.


All the best,
Erwin


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Re: [Marketing] France says OpenOffice.org is not secure enough

2006-08-15 Thread Lars D . Noodén

On Tue, 15 Aug 2006, Finn Gruwier Larsen wrote:
[snip]
Can we use this important information from Simon in an official answer to the 
attack?

[snip]

Perhaps, but I'd take it as an indication that it's trying to draw 
attention away from some other more severe marketing vulnerability. It's 
Software Assurance customers,  for example, have just been forced to 
admit that they probably got reamed.  Or that MSO 2007 is probably going 
to be a no-show and it might be better to try OOo during the wait.*


Look around.  There's got to be a good one hanging in front of our faces 
that we havne't used.



Simon Phipps skrev:
A journalist who contacted me on Friday for comment told me he had been 
alerted to the story by someone at Microsoft who was passing the report 
around.


-Lars
* IMHO one of the reasons MS keeps its minions in constant crisis moded is 
so that there is no time left over for basic activities.  That ensures 
that lower (short term) priority tasks like evaluating competing software 
don't even get on the list, should the local (defacto) MS reps be unable 
to stifle the suggestion.


Lars Noodén ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
OpenOffice.org: Now ISO 26300 Standards Compliant !


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Re: [Marketing] France says OpenOffice.org is not secure enough

2006-08-15 Thread Lars D . Noodén
No.  I would have posted the links to the rebuttals if I had them or 
recalled the main points.  I have slapped some points onto a wiki page for 
it though:

http://wiki.services.openoffice.org/wiki/FrMoD-Aug

Anyone here should feel free to add bits, jot notes, write prose, or move 
stuff around on the page.


-Lars
Lars Noodén ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
OpenOffice.org: Now ISO 26300 Standards Compliant !
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[Marketing] Innovation Happens Elsewhere - Business Reasons for Using Open-Source Products

2006-08-15 Thread Jacqueline McNally

Cross-posted from LINK.

Now under a CC licence, an online version of the print book.

Goldman, R. and Gabriel, R. P. (2005). Innovation Happens Elsewhere -
Business Reasons for Using Open-Source Products, [Online], Morgan
Kaufmann. Available from: http://dreamsongs.com/IHE/IHE.html [16
August 2006].

It may be a useful reference to add to your online resource list.

Regards
Jacqueline McNally
OOoCon2006 in Lyon (http://marketing.openoffice.org/conference/)

What's On at Computer Angels? (http://www.computerangels.org.au/news)

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