On 4 Apr 2008 at 16:19, Daniel Kasak wrote:
...
> OK. I think we're approaching the point here. But a couple of
> comments ...
> 
> Dumbing-down applications isn't doing anyone any favours - even those
> asking for it. Lets say for a moment that we put a 'create new email'
> button in OOo that launchers whatever email client for the user. This
> will have a couple of knock-on effects ... Users will learn that to
> start a new email, they open Open Office, and click the 'create new
> email' button.
> 
> What happens when they go to a computer that doesn't have OOo? Or if
> they go to a computer with OOo but without the button, because the
> person who installed OOo chose not to have the button visible?
...

I think in the enthusiasm for "integration", people forget that's 
what the OS if for. The /OS/ is the glue that holds applications 
together. If I want to edit a document, I ask the OS to start a text 
editor. If I want to capture some video, I ask the OS to start a 
video capture program. If I want to send an email...... etc, etc, 
etc.

It's too easy to try to make an "office suite" into a mini-OS -- 
which is unnecessary, and will almost certainly be badly implemented. 
And, after all, I /might/ want to capture some video to include in my 
document which I want to email .... so why shouldn't the "office 
suite" offer hooks for video capture too. Or indeed for anything else 
the use might want ... I have a fairly regular need for including 
typeset music into documents: should that be available too within 
OOo?

Besides, if you decide that's a good route to go, why should not, 
say, The GIMP have email hooks -- you might want to email your 
picture. Why should not the video capture program have a 'start the 
word processor' button -- you /might/ want to escape into editing a 
script for the next video. Oh, and an email button too :-)  It's an n-
squared problem.

No. I think once you start thinking the problem through, it becomes 
an obvious nonsense. "If you don't want to end up /there/, don't walk 
in /that/ direction".

All IMO, of course.

I'll put the soap-box away now :-)

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[EMAIL PROTECTED]    Mike Scott, Harlow, Essex, England



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