As a distributer for OpenOffice.org I received the following from a
potential new OO.o user:
{Quote}
Your name came up as a CD distributor for the Open Office program. Can
this program be operated completely from a CD? Does it have any hidden
code that will look at all the files on my computer and send information
from those files to an unauthorized person/entity? Do you have anyone
that used your program and did not find it useful that I may contact for
an opposing opinion of the program?
{End quote}
I wanted to tell them that "If your using any Microsoft products you
should be more worried" but I did not.
My reply:
{Quote}
OpenOffice.org itself can not be ran from a CD. There is a fork that
can be ran from a flash drive, check http://portableapps.com/ for more
details on all their products. All are open source and free to download
and use.
As for sending information about you to "someone" it does not. There is
an option to allow OpenOffice.org to send information about how you use
it, which features and functions you use but it does not collect any
other information about you or your system. Since there are no "sales"
numbers to track the developers like for users to register so that total
numbers of users can be estimated but that is not required.
I am not aware of anyone one that has not found OpenOffice.org useful.
That being said that does not mean that such people do not exist. I
would suggest doing a google search for openoffice.org and see what is
out there. You can also search the archives from the discuss and users
mailing list at http://www.openoffice.org/mail_list.html to see what
real users are saying and asking questions about.
If you have more questions join us in the users mailing list as there
are people there from all over the world that have more experience with
OpenOffice.org than I do that will gladly answer your questions. If you
want a copy of OpenOffice.org on CD, which you can install on as many
computers as you want with no licensing fees or if you want a copy on a
flash drive let me know I and I will get you a copy, at no charge.
{End Quote}
Is there any information here that we can use to "enlighten" potential
new users with? Is there any web sites that would give the impression
that OO.o has "back doors" or collects user information? Is there a
non-OO.o site that says "No security holes have been found"?
My reply to the user was based on personal belief and my understanding
so I may have mis-spoke.
Any suggestions for future questions such as this?
Thanks in advance,
Andy
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