Office Archive

The Axe Falls on ODF in Massachusetts?

Submitted by Andy Updegrove 2005-11-03 Office 90 Comments

After a month of news largely dominated by pro-ODF announcements, such as the release of ODF-compliant office suites, patent non-assertion pledges and the like, the opposition has just lowered the boom. And if they are successful, it's a big one.

Submitted by Mystic TaCo 2005-11-01 Office 9 Comments

It could be a pivotal week for Microsoft Office - or not. A new move by Google and a pending announcement from Microsoft are generating widespread speculation about the future of the Redmond company's flagship productivity software and its competition.

Massachusetts’ CIO Defends Move to OpenDocument

Submitted by Mark Brunelli 2005-11-01 Office 23 Comments

Open standards and open source software got political on Monday when Linda Hamel, the general counsel for the Massachusetts Information Technology Department, suggested that groups that oppose the OpenDocument file format standard might be influenced by Microsoft. Hamel was testifying before the Senate's committee on Post Audit and Oversight at a hearing regarding the state's switch to the OpenDocument file format.

How To Speed up OpenOffice

Thom Holwerda 2005-10-28 Office 57 Comments

"Since we wrote a yarn about how opening OpenOffice was slower than a Lada full of elephants going uphill, we have had a few tips from our readers as to how to speed it up. The changes are not difficult and do seem to have an effect. We can't be certain how much this will affect the functionality but we pass these ideas on."

Submitted by dylansmrjones 2005-10-27 Office 37 Comments

Forget all I said about handbrake turns, OpenOpenOffice is here: "OpenOpenOffice OpenDocument support to Microsoft Office users. More importantly, it is a simple and elegant solution that can be implemented in weeks instead of months or years, solving the most pressing needs of Office users."

Microsoft Denies Preparations To Support OpenDoc in Office 12

Submitted by Andrew Updegrove 2005-10-27 Office 41 Comments

More handbrake turns concerning ODF. In an official statement, Microsoft has said it will not support OpenDocument in Office 12: ""We have no plans to directly support the OpenDocument format at this time." This contradicts reports from yesterday. Andy Updegrove, OASIS' legal counsel, responds, once again. Really, there's no need to turn on your TV to watch soap operas.

Corel, Microsoft Open Doors to ODF Support

Submitted by Andrew Updegrove 2005-10-26 Office 37 Comments

Corel apparantly did an impressive handbrake turn yesterday, because it confirmed it will support ODF-- an obvious shift in position seeing it only a week ago said it wouldn't. But that is not all on the ODF front today. Microsoft yesterday also opened the door to supporting ODF just a bit more. "Microsoft is working with a French company on translators to determine the scope of the problem in exporting Office documents to ODF. It sounds to me that support for "Save As" ODF in Office is a when, not an if." Andy Updegrove, who recently critized Corel heavily for not supporting ODF, replies.

Toolbars in OpenOffice.org 2.0

Submitted by Jane Walker 2005-10-24 Office 27 Comments

"I must admit that I had mixed feelings when I saw the new toolbar metaphor for OpenOffice.org 2.0. On the one hand, the 1.x system for seeing different toolbars was a bit complicated and weird. On the other hand, the huge list of toolbars under the "View" menu of the OpenOffice.org 2.0 (release candidate) seemed potentially overwhelming. I must admit, though, that I am a happy convert to the new system." (Part 1|part 2)

Office 12: Is That Your Spreadsheet on My Server?

Thom Holwerda 2005-10-24 Office 11 Comments

The notion of "business intelligence," or easy access to critical company data, is one of the key areas for improvement that the company has identified for the next version of its flagship desktop software. On Monday, Microsoft shared some of its plans in that area, including the outlines of a new server-based system for managing Excel spreadsheets.

OpenOffice Packs a Powerful New Database Punch

Thom Holwerda 2005-10-22 Office 50 Comments

OpenOffice.org's latest update includes a database that matches Microsoft's popular and competing Access database, experts say. The stand-alone database rounds out the offering by bringing long-missing, important database power to users. Users will be able to create stand-alone databases, associated forms, reports and queries, much as with Microsoft's extremely popular and widely used Access database.

Shame on Corel

Submitted by Andrew Updegrove 2005-10-21 Office 43 Comments

Corel had a chance of a lifetime handed to it on a silver platter - support OpenDocument and take an immediate lead in the charge to supplant MS Office. They've decided to stick their head in the sand instead, according to Andy Updegrove.

The Software Police and Your Company

Thom Holwerda 2005-10-21 Office 13 Comments

"What would help the most is to eliminate both the dependency on expensive commercial software and also eliminate the company-owned computer. If, like master mechanics in machine shops, the employee owned his or her own tools, none of this would be an issue. That means the company would require its knowledge worker to purchase specific tools and he or she would then own them. A company store could sell these products and even buy them back at the end of an employment period."

OpenOffice.org 2.0 Released to Servers

Submitted by Witek Wasilewski 2005-10-20 Office 56 Comments

OpenOffice.org 2.0 has been silently released to servers. It can be found here. OpenOffice.org is a multiplatform and multilingual office suite and an open-source project. Compatible with all other major office suites, the product is free to download, use, and distribute. Update: Here's an interview with OOo's community manager, Louis Suarez-Potts.

Everybody’s Guide to OpenDocument

Thom Holwerda 2005-10-19 Office 16 Comments

A lot of misinformation about the OpenDocument digital format has started to appear in the mainstream media and interest groups. Answers to many questions on the topic already have appeared, but they are written by techies for techies. This article is different, however. You can print out this one and pass it on to everyone, regardless of their computer skill level.

Mozillarization of OpenOffice.org

Submitted by Wilf Codran 2005-10-19 Office 46 Comments

"We sat here watching Ben Goodger doing a talk about Firefox at EuroOSCON, it got me thinking about this concept of taking a huge and bloated project (such as Netscape) and cutting it down to the core and releasing a spin-off project such as Firefox. With all of the recent discussion and email I have been receiving triggered from Opening the potential of OpenOffice.org, it makes sense if this process was drilled into OpenOffice.org." In addition, OpenOffice is nearing the 50 million downloads.

Interview: Corel on Sun, Open Standards

Thom Holwerda 2005-10-19 Office 36 Comments

Corel's Richard Carriere recently sat down with BetaNews to discuss the hype around alternative office suites and the future of WordPerfect. Carriere says the market is ready for an MS Office alternative, that Microsoft doesn't innovate, and OpenOffice.org and the OpenDocument format aren't yet viable.

Why Software Sucks (and What To Do About It)

Thom Holwerda 2005-10-17 Office 89 Comments

"No one makes bad software on purpose. No benevolent programmer has ever sat down, planning out weeks of work, with the intention of frustrating people and making them cry. Bad software, or bad anything, happens because making things is hard, making good things doubly so."

Submitted by dylansmrjones 2005-10-16 Office 77 Comments

According to Andy Updegrove, Microsoft seems to be reconsidering support for OpenDocument. A quote from the blog: "So there is no line drawn in the sand, nor (to put it another way) has Microsoft painted itself into a corner. If OpenDocument picks up steam, a back door for support is ajar."

OpenOffice.org Releases Third RC of Its 2.0 Suite

Thom Holwerda 2005-10-16 Office 28 Comments

OpenOffice.org made available for free download a third release candidate of Version 2.0 of its popular open-source office suite Friday. The release includes bug fixes only and no new features.

OpenOffice.org Delays Version 2.0 Release

Thom Holwerda 2005-10-13 Office 36 Comments

Although OpenOffice.org had planned to release the final 2.0 version of its open-source office suite on Oct. 13 - the fifth anniversary of the founding of the organization - the company has decided to hold off due to a "show-stopping" problem with the software, community members said Wednesday.