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OPENOFFICE.ORG NEWSLETTER
Volume 03 - Issue 3 - 9/2005
Please send news clippings to:
newsletter@marketing.openoffice.org
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For up-to-date news visit the OpenOffice.org Newsletter Blog:
http://ooonewsletter.blogspot.com
To read all of this month's stories in full:
http://ooonewsletter.blogspot.com/2005_09_01_ooonewsletter_archive.html
ATOM feed:
http://ooonewsletter.blogspot.com/atom.xml
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Contents
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1. Announcements
----------------
* OpenOffice.org 2005 Conference - Register now!
* OpenOffice.org 1.1.5 announced
* License Simplification
* Estonian Native-Lang project announced
* OpenOffice.org 2.0 RC announced
2. Success Stories
------------------
* Commonwealth of Massachusetts moves to open document formats
* OpenOffice.org distributed at state conference of lawyers
* University of Toronto at Scarborough Standardizes on StarOffice
for all Student Computing Resources
3. Featured news
----------------
* "Opening the potential of OpenOffice.org"
* "Plan by 13 Nations Urges Open Technology Standards"
* Indonesia goes open source
Translation Marathon Completed: OpenOffice 2.0 Translated
* OpenOffice.org Conference Media Coverage
* Raising the bar on patents and standards
4. Tips & Tricks
----------------
* Creating an invoicing system with OpenOffice.org
* Writing a Program to Control OpenOffice.org, Part 1
* "Turn that old PC into a functioning machine again"
* "A Month Without Microsoft Office"
* Creating a software demo with Impress
5. Clippings
6. Statistics
All news for this month can be found at:
http://ooonewsletter.blogspot.com/2005_09_01_ooonewsletter_archive.html
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Want to help OpenOffice.org? Find out hot to contribute or see our
To Do List!!
http://www.openoffice.org/contributing.html
http://development.openoffice.org/todo.html
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Announcements
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OpenOffice.org 2005 Conference - Register now!
----------------------------------------------
The OpenOffice.org Conference 2005 is being held in Koper - Capodistria,
Slovenia, from 28th to 30th September. It is being organised jointly by
the Slovenian and Italian OpenOffice.org teams, with support from various
sponsors and contributors.
The schedule for the conference is now online:
http://marketing.openoffice.org/ooocon2005/schedule.html
For more information visit the official website:
http://marketing.openoffice.org/ooocon2005/
For more details on how to attend, promote or sponsor the conference see
the official mailing list announcement:
http://www.openoffice.org/servlets/ReadMsg?list=announce&msgNo=254
OpenOffice.org 1.1.5 announced
------------------------------
OpenOffice.org is proud to announce the immediate availability of the new
1.1.5 version of the award-winning open source office suite.
This new version is initially available on the Windows (98/ME/NT/2000/XP),
GNU/Linux (X86 and PowerPC) and Solaris (SPARC and X86) platforms.
In addition to English, builds for Czech, Danish, French, German,
Japanese,
Russian, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese and Turkish are
immediately
available with other localisations following shortly.
OpenOffice.org 1.1.5 introduces import support for documents, spreadsheets
and presentations in OpenDocument format. The OpenDocument format is an
XML
based international office document standard approved by OASIS, the
Organisation for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards. XML
based, the OpenDocument format enables the free exchange of data between
compliant software packages.
For full announcement please visit:
http://www.openoffice.org/servlets/ReadMsg?list=announce&msgNo=256
To download please visit:
http://download.openoffice.org/1.1.5/index.html
For release notes regarding version 1.1.5, please visit
http://download.openoffice.org/1.1.5/release_notes_1.1.5.html.
For further details on the features of OpenOffice.org, please visit
http://www.openoffice.org/dev_docs/features/1.1/index.html.
For previous press release information, please visit
http://www.openoffice.org/press/1.1/index.html.
For details regarding the 2005 OpenOffice.org Conference, please see
http://marketing.openoffice.org/conference/.
For additional details regarding the OASIS OpenDocument format, a
datasheet can be downloaded from
http://www.oasis-open.org/who/data_sheets/OASIS-opendocument-datasht-a4-05-06-20.pdf
License Simplification
----------------------
On 2 September 2005 Sun Microsystems announced that it was retiring
the Sun Industry Standards Source License (SISSL), an Open Source
Initiative (OSI)-approved software license. In recent weeks, the
OSI, which authorises open-source licenses, has been discussing
limiting license proliferation, so as to make the process of choosing
a license easier for developers and companies. Sun's move is in
support of that objective.
How does this move affect OpenOffice.org? As most know,
OpenOffice.org code was launched under the dual banner of the SISSL
and LGPL; licensees could choose which one they wanted to use, and
nearly all have chosen the LGPL. Effective with the announcement
that Sun is retiring the SISSL, however, OpenOffice.org will in the
future only be licensed under the LGPL.
For users, the simplification means: no change. OpenOffice.org
remains free to use, distribute, even sell. One can freely use it in
commercial as well as government environments; nothing has changed.
For vendors, distributors, add-on and plug-in writers of
OpenOffice.org: The LGPL allows for commercial distribution without
affecting derived products in the same way as the GPL.
For developers and other contributors: As the code will be licensed
only under the LGPL, modifications to the source must be published.
(The SISSL did not require all changes to the source to be
published.) As most OpenOffice.org contributors are already openly
contributing to the community, we anticipate no problems. And for
those who have been using the SISSL exclusively, we invite you to
join us.
The OpenOffice.org Community Council
http://council.openoffice.org
http://www.openoffice.org/FAQs/license-change.html
Original announcement:
http://www.openoffice.org/servlets/ReadMsg?list=announce&msgNo=255
Estonian Native-Lang project announced
--------------------------------------
The Native-Language Confederation is pleased to welcome a new member in
its
big family:
The Estonian Native-Language project, led by Ain Vagula and Peeter Russak.
The Estonian Native-Lang project has a fairly impressive track record
because
it was active as a localization group long before it went to existence
as a
member of the NLC. A team composed currently of three main members, Ain
Vagula,
Peeter Russak and Marek Laane, has been involved in the localization
work of
Openoffice.org, ever since the 1.0.2. This team also developped
dictionaries
and distributes CD-Roms.
OpenOffice.org is making steady progress in the Baltic region, as shown by
the interest of the Estonian government in getting CD-Roms including OOo
in
Estonian. Stay tuned, as the Estonian Native-Lang project is a small
community
that can achieve much for Openoffice.org!
http://et.openoffice.org
OpenOffice.org 2.0 Release Candidate
------------------------------------
http://download.openoffice.org/2.0.0rc/index.html
Success Stories
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Canada
======
University of Toronto at Scarborough Standardizes on StarOffice for all
Student Computing Resources
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“Sun Microsystems of Canada Inc. today announced the University of
Toronto at Scarborough (UTSC) has standardized on StarOffice(TM) office
productivity software for all student computing resources. This ensures
every student on campus has access to the leading office productivity
suite for Linux, UNIX(R) and the most popular alternative for
Windows-based computers.
UTSC supports a mixed computing environment, and required an office
productivity application that was available for all of its operating
systems. Delivery of a standard, easy-to-use, and cost-effective
application is central to UTSC's information technology mandate and
was the key to its decision to migrate to StarOffice.”
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/09-27-2005/0004132492&EDATE=
United States
=============
Commonwealth of Massachusetts moves to open document formats
------------------------------------------------------------
The big news for this month involves the decision of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts to move to open document formats, including that of the
upcoming
OpenOffice.org 2.0's OpenDocument format. This move has been given
widespread
acclaim with the move to a format which is open, free and unencumbered.
A lot
has been written about the move from praise, to rebuttals from Microsoft
managers.
News of final decision:
http://news.zdnet.com/2100-3513_22-5878869.html
OpenDocument format:
http://www.spreadopendocument.org/
http://www.groklaw.net/article.php?story=20050130002908154
MP3 and Ogg of meeting with Massachusetts CIO:
http://www.softwaregarden.com/cgi-bin/oss-sig/wiki.pl?OpenFormatMeetingSept2005
Massachusetts Enterprise Technical Reference Model:
http://www.mass.gov/portal/index.jsp?pageID=itdsubtopic&L=4&L0=Home&L1=Policies%2c+Standards+%26+Legal&L2=Enterprise+Architecture&L3=Enterprise+Technical+Reference+Model+-+Version+3.5&sid=Aitd
IBM response to decision:
http://www-128.ibm.com/developerworks/blogs/dw_blog_comments.jspa?blog=384&entry=94431
The story as it developed throughout the month:
http://ooonewsletter.blogspot.com/2005/09/massachusetts-planning-move-to-open.html
http://ooonewsletter.blogspot.com/2005/09/massachusetts-open-document-policy.html
http://ooonewsletter.blogspot.com/2005/09/legal-worries-led-massachusetts-to.html
http://ooonewsletter.blogspot.com/2005/09/more-blog-commentary-on-massachusetts.html
http://ooonewsletter.blogspot.com/2005/09/more-massachusetts-news.html
http://ooonewsletter.blogspot.com/2005/09/opinion-zdnet-blogs-on-opendocument.html
http://ooonewsletter.blogspot.com/2005/09/opinion-what-has-microsoft-done-for.html
http://ooonewsletter.blogspot.com/2005/09/opinion-states-open-document-dispute.html
http://ooonewsletter.blogspot.com/2005/09/opinion-geriatric-microsoft-scuppered.html
http://ooonewsletter.blogspot.com/2005/09/massachusetts-moves-ahead-sans.html
Brazil
======
OpenOffice.org distributed at state conference of lawyers
---------------------------------------------------------
Erwin Tenhumberg blogs about a successful presentation of OpenOffice.org
to lawyers in Brazil:
"About 350 lawyers and Law students we expected, but, in fact, over 750
came.
It was a tremendous success. We distributed 750 CD«s with OpenOffice.org,
and some other free softwares, and we demonstrated it in a datashow
(projector)
along with some information about its use. People got astonished and
surprised."
http://blogs.sun.com/roller/page/dancer?entry=openoffice_org_distributed_at_state
Singapore
=========
"Linux on Lenovo consumer PCs?"
-------------------------------
"The China-based giant has already taken the first step in that
direction by deciding to bundle StarOffice 8, the open-source
software suite which competes with Microsoft Office, in Lenovo's
latest ThinkPad R51e notebook PC. StarOffice 8 is from Sun
Microsystems Inc and includes a spreadsheet, word processor, database
and presentation manager, and allows users to import and export
Microsoft Office files and to use Office macros to automate specific
tasks.
'StarOffice 8 will help small businesses and consumers to have a
cost-effective desktop productivity solution with all the functionality
they need,' Mr Lau said. 'This step is in line with our mission to
provide our customers with smarter ways to stay productive and
competitive.'"
http://it.asia1.com.sg/newsdaily/news001_20050930.html
Featured news
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"OpenOffice is great alternative to Microsoft"
----------------------------------------------
The Chicago Sun-Times has an article by Andy Ihnatko on the upcoming
OpenOffice.org 2.0, including favourable comparisons as an office suite
as well as an overview of the OpenDocument format.
http://www.suntimes.com/output/worktech/cst-fin-andy22.html
"Opening the potential of OpenOffice.org"
-----------------------------------------
(Thanks to Ian Lynch for submitting this news clipping)
The O'Reilly Network has an article with details on contributing to the
OpenOffice.org project:
"This importance is key, and I get concerned when I hear that there is a
lack of
hands. So, what can we all do? How can we help? How can we make
OpenOffice.org
into the office suite that is not only capable, but has the strong
vitality that
I mentioned earlier?"
http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/wlg/7834
"Plan by 13 Nations Urges Open Technology Standards"
----------------------------------------------------
Following on from the Massachusetts policy, 13 nations have put together a
report to push for the adoption of open technology standards.
http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=26093
http://ooonewsletter.blogspot.com/2005/09/plan-by-13-nations-urges-open.html
Indonesia goes open source
--------------------------
Indonesia adopts the Java Desktop System (and StarOffice/OpenOffice.org)
for its national open-source desktop:
"Indonesia's Ministry of Research and Technology Thursday said it will
implement
a Java Desktop System (JDS) on Linux as a national-standard desktop,
customed-
designed for its own culture. This desktop software will be a major
component
of the new Indonesia Goes Open Source (IGOS) program that aims to help
eliminate
the "digital divide in the world's largest archipelago," the ministry
and Sun
Microsystems said in a joint announcement."
http://www.desktoplinux.com/news/NS3370503002.html
http://www.igos.web.id/english/english.htm
Translation Marathon Completed: OpenOffice 2.0 Translated
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"OpenOffice 2.0 user interface was completely translated on Saturday
afternoon,
and the volunteers continue to translate the Help file.
The next step will be proof reading conveyed by the professional
proof-readers
and computer experts and preparing booklet for the users that will make
the use
easier for people that do not speak English or do not know to work with
computers."
http://ooonewsletter.blogspot.com/2005/09/translation-marathon-completed.html
OpenOffice.org Conference Media Coverage
----------------------------------------
http://ooocon-arnes.kiberpipa.org/media/
Raising the bar on patents and standards
----------------------------------------
"Great news for OpenDocument fans. The guy from Microsoft couldn't have
known this, but we were already working on a move that raises the bar on
what it means to create a truly open standard. Yesterday, Sun sent to
OASIS a new statement concerning patents on the OpenDocument standard.
To decode this statement for you, it says that Sun promises not to
enforce any patent in any country against any implementation of the
OpenDocument format (ODF). That means that, unless you're intending
to sue Sun in connection with ODF, you can use ODF with confidence
and ignore the FUD."
http://blogs.sun.com/roller/page/webmink?entry=raising_the_bar_on_patents
Tips & Tricks
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* Creating an invoicing system with OpenOffice.org
http://software.newsforge.com/software/05/09/01/152212.shtml?tid=152&tid=93
* Writing a Program to Control OpenOffice.org, Part 1
http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/8550
* "Turn that old PC into a functioning machine again"
http://www.sun-herald.com/NewsArchive2/090705/tp11ch18.htm?date=090705&story=tp11ch18.htm
* "A Month Without Microsoft Office"
http://blogs.pcworld.com/techlog/archives/000857.html
* Creating a software demo with Impress
http://software.newsforge.com/software/05/08/25/194253.shtml?tid=152&tid=93&tid=75
Clippings
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* OpenOffice.org 2.0 Beta 2 release roundup
http://ooonewsletter.blogspot.com/2005/09/openofficeorg-20-beta-2-release.html
* Italian schools move to Linux
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/0,39020330,39216134,00.htm
* "Macros an obstacle to office suite compatibility"
http://software.newsforge.com/software/05/09/09/1640253.shtml?tid=93
* "OpenDocument office suites lack formula compatibility"
http://ooonewsletter.blogspot.com/2005/09/opendocument-office-suites-lack.html
* "Many alternatives in portable Office suites"
http://ooonewsletter.blogspot.com/2005/09/many-alternatives-in-portable-office.html
* Opinion: "IBM's potential MS-Office killer to roll out by year's end"
http://ooonewsletter.blogspot.com/2005/09/opinion-ibms-potential-ms-office.html
* Competitive news: TextMaker - supporting OpenDocument
http://ooonewsletter.blogspot.com/2005/09/competitive-news-textmaker-supporting.html
* Competitive news: "Microsoft Holding Its Ground on Office for Linux"
http://ooonewsletter.blogspot.com/2005/09/microsoft-holding-its-ground-on-office.html
* Competitive news: "ThinkFree Office? Think again"
http://software.newsforge.com/software/05/08/31/1340238.shtml?tid=93
* Competitive news: "Microsoft Struggles in South Korea"
http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/tech/200509/kt2005091220393512350.htm
* Competitive News: Upcoming Microsoft Office 12 and Windows Vista
http://ooonewsletter.blogspot.com/2005/09/competitive-news-upcoming-microsoft.html
* Competitive news: "Office 12 makeover takes on 'feature creep'"
http://ooonewsletter.blogspot.com/2005/09/competitive-news-office-12-makeover.html
* [Books - Press Release] "No Thick Manuals Announces Publication of
Hands on
Open Source"
http://ooonewsletter.blogspot.com/2005/09/books-press-release-no-thick-manuals.html
Statistics
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OpenOffice.org
==============
Highlights
----------
* More than 47,800,000 have downloaded OpenOffice.org
so far (as of September 17, 2005).
* The OpenOffice.org project has more than 33,700
unique people subscribed to the mailing lists
(as of September 17, 2005).
* 661 people and companies have signed a JCA and are thus
either already contributing or considering to do so
(as of September 28, 2005):
http://www.openoffice.org/copyright/copyrightapproved.html
* 2184 people have participated in the OOo developer
survey so far (as of September 28, 2005).
Events
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Upcoming
========
OOoCon 2005
-----------
OpenOffice.org Conference
September 28th - 30th 2005
Koper - Capodistria, Slovenia
http://marketing.openoffice.org/conference/
EuroOSCON 2005
--------------
O'Reilly European Open Source Convention 2005
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
October 17-20, 2005
http://conferences.oreillynet.com/cs/eurooscon/create/e_sess
Newsletter Archive
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Past issues of the OpenOffice.org Newsletter can be found in the archive
of the announce mailing list:
http://www.openoffice.org/servlets/SummarizeList?listName=announce
Contact Information (regarding this newsletter)
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