This is slightly tangential to the thread, but apropos to Steve's remark: Steve C. Thompson wrote
> OOo opens [MS Office files] because smart developers have reverse > engineered them. > The companies are actively trying to eliminate this by patenting use of > XML and by pushing ``trusted computing''. If they prevail, and if > customers continue to merrily upgrade, programs like OOo will find it > harder and harder (if no impossible) to interoperate. I agree wholeheartedly. I would go a bit further and support those who oppose software patents, since software Patents endanger free software. So called "trusted computing" trusts only the owners of the "Digital Rights" --certainly not the *user* of the computer. The computer user is assumed to be a deliberate violator of these "rights". Please go to the web site for League for programming Freedom (LPF) http://lpf.ai.mit.edu/ These folk have opposed user interface copyrights and software patents since the notions came into being. (UI copyright lawsuits: anyone old enough to recall Apple v Microsoft, or Xerox v Apple, or Lotus v Brown Bag?) I'm not sure of the dates, but in the early 80s I read about free software from a Jerry Pournell article about Richard Stallman and Emacs in BYTE in the early 80s. The FSF and the LPF came not long after. We should all be members or at least support the LPF in their opposition to the idea of the software patent. So doing supports all free software projects. Warm Regards David Teague, Advocating Free Software and Double Bass tuned in fifths www.dennismasuzzo.com www.silviodallatorre.com www.joelquarrington.com/ For information on Red Mitchell, see http://home.teleport.com/~mimuma/ www.larryholloway.com http://cs.wcu.edu/~dbt ----- Original Message ----- From: "Steve C. Thompson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <users@openoffice.org> Sent: Tuesday, March 22, 2005 3:57 PM Subject: Re: [users] Start sending people SXI files! > Chad, > > On Mar 22 14:36PM, Chad Smith wrote: > > [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > > >Group, > > > > > >I'm tired of people sending me Microsoft Office files. This is a threat > > >to my freedom and my bank account: > > > > Um, it's not touching your bank account. OOo opens them. OOo is free. > > It's not costing you a penny to use the MSO files. > OOo opens them because smart developers have reverse engineered them. > The companies are actively trying to eliminate this by patenting use of > XML and by pushing ``trusted computing''. If they prevail, and if > customers continue to merrily upgrade, programs like OOo will find it > harder and harder (if no impossible) to interoperate. > > > >I propose that we stop accepting such files. > > > > Feel free. If you have to exchange files for your job, you'll most > > likely lose a lot of customers. > Are my customers unable to install a gratis program on their computer? > Won't my customers have more money in their pockets if they use gratis > software, thus allowing them but purchase more of my services/products? > > Think long term. > > > You, on the other hand, are costing them time, (to download and > > install), hard drive space, RAM, and possibly real money (if they pay > > per minute download, or if they buy the CD). > Isn't it cheaper to pay for the bandwidth to download OOo (or pay for > the CD, etc.) than to upgrade to the next series of Microsoft Office > releases? > > > >The tide is turning, we must all help make it happen. Get two friends > > >to start using OOo. > > > > I would agree with this. It's good to help people to get OOo. But your > > claims that they are costing you money is both inaccurate and absurd. > I'm glad that you agree. Spread OOo! <SNIP> > --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
