The Java dependency problem keeps coming up buried in other threads. I am
redirecting the most recent case so we can put light on this situation.
Before the dependencies on Java are increased/improved, I think there is a
crucial usability matter.
1. Currently users are trap-doored by exercising a feature or dialog that
suddenly raises a Java dependency, sometimes for which there is no escape other
than finding a way to shut down AOO that is not a normally-required skill.
2. The fact that full functioning of AOO is buried in the system requirements
in a way that users can easily overlook (or never examine) is a problem. We
can fix that page, even providing (or linking to) specific details of what the
dependencies are. That would be useful so developers and power-users have the
details. However, the system requirements are probably not read by most who
download the software (based on over 40 million downloads of 4.1.1,
overwhelmingly on systems designed for casual users).
3. If the installer required presence of Java, that would be a clear
indication that it is required for operation. It would also be helpful if the
installer provided an usable link for installing a workable Java if one is not
present.
4. If the presence of Java is indeed optional, and the user does not have it
or elects not to use it, AOO should not even offer functions for which Java is
required. That is another way to improve the usability and at least avoid
users falling through trap-doors.
5. Shouldn't we do this better? Or are we to decree that AOO is only intended
for power-users who have strong skills with regard to managing their
configurations, managing the install of dependencies, trouble-shooting and
being able to work around the not-dependable way things work now?
Three paths come to mind.
A. Remove the Java dependencies.
B. Adjust the Java dependencies,
1. So that the dependencies are clear and the situation around failures to
find a suitable JRE is made workable for casual users. This could involve the
above (2-4) remedies.
2. Only then consider increasing the dependencies on Java for full-function
operation in some controllable way.
C. Make AOO a Java application that has C++ components, rather than the
reverse.
These are all serious. Probably on the way to either A or C, one must address
B.
We also need to consider what the project's capacity for any of these cases
happens to be.
Thoughts?
- Dennis
PS: There is a bigger question about platform presence in here. There are
distributions for which Java dependency is not particularly attractive and we
may be cutting ourselves off from those. That might not matter if we are
talking about the small percentage of the downloads that are for neither
Windows nor Macintosh desktop PCs.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Pedro Giffuni [mailto:[email protected]]
> Sent: Thursday, October 29, 2015 08:07
> To: Apache OO <[email protected]>
> Subject: Re: Thinking of joining OpenOffice as a developer
>
> Hello;
>
> First of all, a warm welcome to Patricia. Java developers are
> particularly welcome at this stage!
>
> Just IMHO, the C++ side of AOO is either under-control or
> too-ugly-to care-about, so we would do good focus more on the
> Java parts, which are also somewhat ugly but still promising.
[ ... ]
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