Red Hat is actively talking to Microsoft to improve Linux/Windows interoperability, but says it will only sign an interoperability agreement with Microsoft if it is based entirely on open standards.
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Member since:2007-02-22
For the most part, they'd still be open-source, and thus beneath your notice.
I use Office 2000. My professors, for the most part, use 2003. I can read everything they send just fine. Some even have Vista already, while I still have XP. Of course, I shouldn't open the files at all, because according to a pundit on the Internet I'm locked into an upgrade cycle that means I can't.
Which includes all Microsoft customers; they may not own stock in Microsoft, but they share in its success. Microsoft having the money to fund better versions of Office, Internet Explorer, Media Player, more researchers, more bug-killers, new projects like Silverlight and Codeplex, etc., means higher-quality product and broader support for us. But wait; Microsoft making better product for us isn't for our benefit, because some person on the Internet says they want to rule the world.
Edited 2007-05-12 07:46
Member since:2005-07-18
Microsoft having the money to fund ... new projects like Silverlight and Codeplex, etc., means higher-quality product and broader support for us. But wait; Microsoft making better product for us isn't for our benefit, because some person on the Internet says they want to rule the world.
Very amusing. Any platform can use SVG and other standards, but Silverlight uses the VC-1 video codec, which is patented and AFAIK can't be used in free software.
So if Microsoft convinces many websites to use it, they will have created incentive for users to stay locked into a proprietary platform. That may not be ruling the world, but it sure doesn't promote freedom.
Member since:2006-10-06
Vista has not got its own version of Office yet,YET, but when it does, it will only run on Vista, so if Joe Public starts to send you .DOC attachements from his Vista Office, they will be useless to you, until you upgrade to Vista and to Vista Office. Hence, YOU are locked into an upgrade cycle.
Had you said anything remotely like that about open office and linux you would have been an instant "-5 post"
And you would be told to stop the fud.
I wont mod you down nor will i tell you to stop the fud. I'll only ask of you only to talk about stuff you actually know something about.
A coule of days ago i recivede a word document from office 2007 when i tried to open it in my office 2003 it asked me if i wanted to download a converter so i could use it in 2003 and since i needed to read the sheit i did. Problem solved with a single download. The best part i did'nt have to do anything but install the converter.
Member since:2005-07-18
Had you said anything remotely like that about open office and linux you would have been an instant "-5 post"
Do you really not see the difference? OpenOffice is open. They are not making any attempt to lock you in to some proprietary format. They are not using copyrights or secret implementations to prevent you from using another product to interact with the documents you create with it. The same cannot be said of Microsoft, even if the specific prediction you reference proves untrue.
So if anyone posts something totally nonsensical like a new version of Linux locks you into a new version of OpenOffice, then of course it should be demoted.
Member since:2005-07-06
A coule of days ago i recivede a word document from office 2007 when i tried to open it in my office 2003 it asked me if i wanted to download a converter so i could use it in 2003 and since i needed to read the sheit i did. Problem solved with a single download. The best part i did'nt have to do anything but install the converter.
Good for you....
Now where is my Office2007 converter for Office XP.
I cannot open them.
Like you, I was able to download the converter for 2003, but, as I still have to support Office from 97 onwards, interoperability between Microsofts own products is a big big problem.
You asked me only to speak about stuff that I know about ?
Listen young man, when you actually get out of your mothers basement and get a real job supporting business and industry, you will realise that interoprability is not just as black and white as you think :p
Member since:
2005-07-06
Nah, those two concepts do not add up.
Microsofts primary objective is this;
To make as much money as possible for its shareholders.
There is nothing actually wrong with that, they are a corporation at the end of the day, but some people here are 100% loyal to Microsoft, and they think Microsoft are being loyal to customers.
Microsoft will never interoperate fully for the following reasons;
1: Letting other OSs fully work with Office will negate the need for Windows
2: Letting other office suites fully work with Office will negate the need for Office.
3: If some OS can do everything EXACTLY like Windows/Office, what is the need for Microsoft products in the first place ?
No, Microsoft will keep everything tightly locked down for their future survival.
A lot of astroturfers here think Microsoft does not lock you into an upgrade cycle, but how many people using Office 2000 can open Office 2003 files ?
Vista has not got its own version of Office yet,YET, but when it does, it will only run on Vista, so if Joe Public starts to send you .DOC attachements from his Vista Office, they will be useless to you, until you upgrade to Vista and to Vista Office. Hence, YOU are locked into an upgrade cycle.
This is not for YOUR benefit, this is purely for the benefit of Microsofts shareholders. This must be stopped.
SUPPORT THE USE OF OPEN FORMATS ONLY