On Thu, 2005-02-03 at 21:58 -0500, Daniel Carrera wrote: > Hello Rick, > > Welcome to the list. You'll find the OpenOffice.org is a friendly place. > Even if you do post to the wrong list, the request to post on the correct > list will be polite. > > Now, on to your concerns (yes, you did post to the right list :) > > > ------------------------------------------------------ > > MyGreatestBook.doc may contain formattings that are not compatible > > with Microsoft Word 97/2000/XP Format. Do you want to save the > > document in this format? > > > > - To save in Microsoft 97/2000/XP Format, click 'Yes' > > - To preserve formatting, click No. Next save the document in the > > latest OpenOffice.org format. > > ------------------------------------------------------- > > [snip] > > > It appears to me that the intent of this message is to say (in so many > > words) "We can do things (i.e. formatting things) that Word cannot do; > > Not really, that's not what the message says. > > The Microsoft file format is a company *secret*. It is propietary. The way > we make a filter for that format is by guessing combined with trial and > error. This is because Microsoft chooses not to publish the specs of the > format. > > For this reason, we can never guarantee that no formatting will be lost. > Our filters are "very good". But we don't want to give you an unrealistic > expectation. Though I should point out that moving files between different > *versions* of MS Office will give you the exact same problems. > > The compatibility of OpenOffice.org with MS Office is about the same as > that between different versions of MS Office. > > Incidentally, yes our format is far superior. But that's not what that > error is saying.
I would have to disagree somewhat here with you Daniel. I think the way you have worded it is quite politically correct, but essentially there are some things that OpenOffice.org does that MS Word does not do, or refuses to work with. One big problem I have found here is having multiple page styles and taking that across to MS Word. At least up till 1.1.3, MS Word will simply take the first page style found and use that as the default through the whole document. I am sure there are some other slightly different formats that are done with OOo that are not possible yet with MS Word. However, I agree with your overall comment that essentially there are differences between OOo and MSO and therefor the message warns that you may lose due to differences. Regards Jonathon --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
