I can't resist this question though it might not have been a question addressed to all.
A key use for the OOo XForms (if it is improved) is integration of OOo with a back-office or middleware based on XML and REST. How would OOo users send a form to internal departments in an organisation which uses OOo if the standards there for data interchange are XML and 'REST' (my this I mean just simple urls to direct output)? The XML Forms promise quick and relatively easy development of such integration facilities but lack the robustness an enterprise needs. Firstly, it isn't obvious (if possible) how to lock the form down to allow only data entry and submission: the user of the form can click 'design' and might even have 'design' veiw already open when they receive the form causing confusion with how to complete the form and submit it. Making the form readonly helps but doesn't help enough here. Secondly, there is a problem when the XML has repeats in it. Designing a form easily is the key use case - adding complexity means you might as well write an Ajax web page or the like so I don't much like the idea of using parameters, etc to create a form using XSLT. Thirdly, the forms would be better if they could be made available online (like a PDF form) and this might help with the second point above. There are organisations which are large and standardise on OOo or SO, etc so for these having a nice and easy way to develop quick frontend forms for backend or middleware/backend systems is much sought-after. XForms on their own are still difficult to write and lack IDEs but OOo provides the beggining of a nice way to provide simplicity. Best regards Stephen Green 2008/7/9 Svante Schubert <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>: > But may I ask what you plan to use XForms for, what features you desire in > detail? > > Aside of being curious, I would like to have some feedback and as well some > evidence/proof that it is worth to move resources from other areas of OOo > development to XForms. > > Kind regards, > Svante > > --------------------------------------------------------------------- > To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > -- Stephen D. Green Partner SystML, http://www.systml.co.uk Tel: +44 (0) 117 9541606 Associate Director Document Engineering Services http://www.documentengineeringservices.com http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew+22:37 .. and voice --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
