That is possible. Though it is not OSS' fault.
Typical, troll
Posted on 06/30/2005 5:49:09 AM PDT by N3WBI3
I have been exploring the use of free Open Source software as an alternative to Microsoft Software for quite some time now. I have been using Open Office for about 8 months now for my word processing needs. In a nutshell I am satisfied. Last week a new beta was released, I downloaded it as soon as it was made available, on first view, even though the key functionality in version 2.0 Beta remains largely intact, it promises dozens, possibly hundreds, of changes.
NeLogic Content Management System The beta seems complete enough for a preliminary review. Changes to the installation, interface, general functionality, and the applications themselves, there is much that I welcome, but a few changes for the worse as well.
The beta opens on a changed interface. Some of the changes are as simple as a rationalized interface. For example, the Options dialog now refers to applications by name instead of by document type.
However, the most obvious change in the OpenOffice.org editing window is in the treatment of toolbars. The Main toolbar, formerly on the left side of the window, has been done away entirely. Same treatment goes for the sliding toolbars for lists and tables, and the long-click icon trays. Instead, the toolbars pop open when required. Although these toolbars open in the middle of the window, and often have to be dragged to one side before they can be used, on the whole, this new behavior is a much-needed simplification. It means that new users no longer have to learn non-standard interface elements. It also eliminates the confusion that sometimes resulted when two toolbars were needed -- for example, when the list toolbar was used inside a table. All toolbars, too, can now be torn off to form floating windows or docked as desired.
A large number of interface changes seem due chiefly to efforts to make refugees from Microsoft Office more at home. Specifically, the beta imitates Microsoft Office 2003. In theory, there is nothing wrong with this approach. For one thing, the imitation is two-way nowadays, with Office 2003 transferring styles to a floating palette. For another, more than two-thirds of OpenOffice.org users are on Windows, so easing the transition for them makes sense.
However, there are a few changes which are for the worse. For example, in version 1.1.4, the Fontwork tool allows graphical text to be manipulated after it was typed. By contrast, in imitation of Microsoft Office 2003, Fontwork in the beta requires users to select a generic design before typing text. Users must then double-click on the generic design to add their own text, and only then customize the design. Although the earlier version could do with a preview, the new one not only suffers the same lack, but is also far less direct and requires more steps.
Another unwelcome change is the removal of page tabs in favor of Page Panes in Draw and Impress. This change reduces free space on the screen without increasing functionality. The Navigator floating window gives the same functionality while being easy to move as needed. In changes like this, the beta comes close to being the clone that hostile reviewers claim it is, reacting to its rival instead of innovating, and being more concerned with imitation than innovation.
Conclusion
Some features that should have had a makeover in the beta didn't. They include the cross-reference system, which needs to have heading styles available as references by default, and the HTML editor, which needs support for frames and clean HTML output. Also, the entire interface could also be overhauled to give dialog windows a consistent look and feel.
Version 2.0 exhibits a growing dependency on Java. In earlier versions, new users could easily do without Java. By contrast, so many of the new features, including the movie player and wizards, require Java that in version 2.0, it is well on the way to becoming a necessity. The new support for Beanshell as a scripting language reinforces the impression. So does the fact that, in recent developer builds, other data sources such as spreadsheets can no longer be registered -- although probably this is an oversight that will be corrected before the final release. Java apps are hardly known for their speed, and these new features take noticeably longer to open than older ones.
Even without Java, OpenOffice.org is the most full-featured office application for GNU/Linux, and a major alternative to Microsoft Office on Windows. Except for Mozilla, probably no other program has introduced so many people to open source. Despite my misgivings, the beta promises enough enhancements that I'll be using version 2.0 more and more as it slouches towards final release -- just not with Java.
Download open office at http://www.openoffice.org
Ill give you databases, but spreadsheets are widely (mis)used.
But families DO need a good email client. And OpenOffice doesn't have one. Why not?
Umm because that not it purpose, if you need an email client there are plenty of good ones out there but why bundle it in with a word processor/spreadsheet/presentation package? if anything an email client belongs with a browser.. Its that swiss army knife approach that produces crappy applications.
Now that I have admitted it can you eitehr prove that "but it was literally garbage compared to the subsequent work that was done on Linux within the United States by ideological coding slaves."
Umm because im a consumer... and despite a new so good security reputaion for ie ms's answer was that as the defacto standard wed better get used to it..
There were already numerous third-party solutions that did the same thing.
In other words to make windows work like opensource you have to go get sofware made by someone other than MS?
Perhaps the cleverest tagline I've seen since "I've got my eye out for Mullah Omar." LOL
Along those line have you found a post where a Linux user on this board says it has no bugs and is a perfect security model... I have been waiting months..
Thank you..
Yet, you still appear to focus your life around spreading it in place of the existing profitable products that strengthen the US economy and security. Apparently feel you have nothing to lose, yourself.
That is possible. Though it is not OSS' fault.
Typical, troll
Except more people need a spreadsheet than consider that a gap..
Very few users know how to use spreadsheets.
Source please? Most people I know with office use use and mis use excel all the time..
I noticed you have still not provided a source for saying most Linux developemnt has been done in the US..
Hey im just "pointing out the gaps" between ie and mozilla/firefox.. in one you need to install thrid party tools to block popups the other does not....
Never said there was a requirement, im just "pointing out the gaps"
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