Robert
>Are the differences between OpenOffice and Microsoft Office bigger than
>Microsoft Office 2000 and 2003 and 2007.
>Not convinced, I've seen "compatable" document break in differing versions
>of MS office. Convincing certain people of this seems to be an almost
>impossible task.
Fully agree about "compatable" issues. However probably a communication fault
on my part. There seemed to a be a general view that OpenOffice had some issues
that literally effect the way finished documents look that needed working upon.
This is why some people stick to LaTex for example or won't/wouldn't easily
move away from MS Office.
>It would be my opinion we should be teaching new users to stick to opening
>the package management tools and installing through them. Instilling a
>fear of "other" installation procedures. This allows the built in security
>and dependency mechanisms of the package manage to do their work.
Nice to think this. It kind of revolves around the argument how far Joe Public
are willing to go in practice.
>Given the expense of most government IT projects, big bad idea. In
>principle though, a team of reasonably paid dedicated developers used to
>an open source attitude (pushing and pulling from other projects etc.)
>might not be such a bad idea.
>I think it would be worth such a team sticking close to LibreOffice with
>customisations and developments that the government need, being pushed
>back where possible/allowed.
Thanks for this. Maybe as well have such a team interact with the larger FOSS
(UK or wider?) community. Perhaps could view/convince as a kind of Cameron Big
Society thing.
>Well, this one is one of the great religious debates and I dare say it
>could go on forever.
I think it could but thanks for the viewpoint.
Cheers
Mark Elkins
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