James, Charles, [...], I can't fault Charles' logic.
The MS business model does *not* contain reasoning along the lines of, "create the most usable word processor with a forward-looking document structure that preserves functionality across all versions." Their business goal is ownership of the market and ongoing wealth, not greatest possible convenience to customers. You can't own the market if every other word processor can use your file format with ease, nor if you make a stable product that allows an old version to interchange data with the newer one -- a program of deliberate obsolescence ensures that customers have to continue to spend money to stay current. Unhappily, if you *must* exchange documents with those using MS Word, then your choices are 1) have a copy of MS word around for that traffic, or 2) do all your exchanges in RTF. There may eventually be 3) use WordPerfect/StarOffice/AbiWord/other but we're not there yet. If the object is simply to be able to write and print useful documents and to convey the content of these documents to others, then there are plenty of viable alternatives. [Anecdote] I have, and continue to use, PC Write 2.x and 3.x for certain stuff. The files are straight ASCII with markup notation. The only issue is making sure I either have a printer that supports the older printer definitions used with PC Write, or take the time to roll my own -- the printer definition files are also ASCII -- and it's possible, if you know the command set, to write a definition file for *any* printer. I imagine if I just *had* to, I could write a filter that would take RTF as its input and spit out a PC Write ASCII/markup file. Likewise, I'm sure that it's possible to convert RTF (since it's just another markup language) to just about anything else as well. Because of this, PCW will never "die" even though it's not supported: I can always take a screwdriver/wrench (spanner)/hammer/drill/etc and create whatever I need for it. [/Anecdote] I sympathize with those who feel trapped because "everybody" uses MS Word and they have to maintain compatibility. My wife runs a secretarial service (VA = virtual assistant, see www.tmonroe.com) and one requirement for most of her clients is "MS Word formatted" docs. She does get paid for this, so the cost is a business expense, but she has to drag me kicking and screaming (or whimpering) every time we have to upgrade to keep up with her customers. And now, with the advent of the so-clever product registration thing, we can't just use one copy for both of us, so I'm staying in the dark ages just a while longer. It is my fondest hope that somebody finds a way to handle the font and rendering difficulties thus making it possible to read/write/print MS formatted documents with tools that don't have a bi-annual tax for their use. Imagine not having to a) learn word processing again every couple of years, b) pay for the privilege at the same time. One might actually get some work done. Regards, Garry Hamilton * [EMAIL PROTECTED] ----- Original Message ----- From: "Charles Angelich" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Thursday, January 30, 2003 5:40 PM Subject: Re: [SURVPC] BL2 Wordprocessing: preliminary success with Ted > Hello James - > > At 04:51 PM 1/30/03 -0600, you wrote: > >Further report on Abiword/Ted M$Word compatibility. > > > >Charles: Yes, I neglected to mention M$Word's incompatibility with itself > >- a problem I, too, have encountered in the past. Another argument in > >favor of a third standard like .rtf as the test for a good wordprocessor > >for a distro like BL? > > I guess I soft-pedaled my disappointment with MSWord a bit too much? > > I realize the stranglehold MSW has on businesses but considering how > aggressively Microsoft has arranged to even scuttle their own versions > of MSW to force purchase of each new version I see no point at all for > a Linux user to attempt to chase the pack and run a long third place > showing? > > If MSW is a need then so is Microsoft like it or not nad you will have to > buy every single new version they sell like it or not. > > > Charles.Angelich "DOS Ghost" > > Tech Website : > http://www.undercoverdesign.com/dosghost/ > Music,Photos,Stories,etc. Website : > http://www.undercoverdesign.com/dosghost/faf/ > Default Browser HomePage : > http://www.undercoverdesign.com/dosghost/homepage.asp To unsubscribe from SURVPC send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with unsubscribe SURVPC in the body of the message. Also, trim this footer from any quoted replies. More info can be found at; http://www.softcon.com/archives/SURVPC.html
