Chad, On Mar 22 14:36PM, Chad Smith wrote: > [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > >Group, > > > >I'm tired of people sending me Microsoft Office files. This is a threat > >to my freedom and my bank account: > > Um, it's not touching your bank account. OOo opens them. OOo is free. > It's not costing you a penny to use the MSO files. OOo opens them because smart developers have reverse engineered them. The companies are actively trying to eliminate this by patenting use of XML and by pushing ``trusted computing''. If they prevail, and if customers continue to merrily upgrade, programs like OOo will find it harder and harder (if no impossible) to interoperate.
> >I propose that we stop accepting such files. > > Feel free. If you have to exchange files for your job, you'll most > likely lose a lot of customers. Are my customers unable to install a gratis program on their computer? Won't my customers have more money in their pockets if they use gratis software, thus allowing them but purchase more of my services/products? Think long term. > You, on the other hand, are costing them time, (to download and > install), hard drive space, RAM, and possibly real money (if they pay > per minute download, or if they buy the CD). Isn't it cheaper to pay for the bandwidth to download OOo (or pay for the CD, etc.) than to upgrade to the next series of Microsoft Office releases? > >The tide is turning, we must all help make it happen. Get two friends > >to start using OOo. > > I would agree with this. It's good to help people to get OOo. But your > claims that they are costing you money is both inaccurate and absurd. I'm glad that you agree. Spread OOo! Steve On Mar 22 14:36PM, Chad Smith wrote: > [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > >Group, > > > >I'm tired of people sending me Microsoft Office files. This is a threat > >to my freedom and my bank account: > > Um, it's not touching your bank account. OOo opens them. OOo is free. > It's not costing you a penny to use the MSO files. > > >the sender is expecting me to use a > >secret format, controlled by a powerful corporation; and it is a very > >expensive product. > > > >I propose that we stop accepting such files. > > Feel free. If you have to exchange files for your job, you'll most > likely lose a lot of customers. > > > > >This might not be immediately practical, so how about an alternative > >solution: Open the file, save it into OOo's native format (SXI), then > >send it back to them. If they ask what is this, say: ``Oh, it is an > >open format ... You don't don't OpenOffice.org installed on your > >computer? ... Install it and you can view my attachment.'' Help them > >with the install if need be. > > I'm not sure I understand you're quote there. "You don't don't > OpenOffice.org"? What does that mean? > > > >This might seams harsh, but it is exactly what they are doing to us by > >sending DOC/PPT/XLS etc. By sending them SXI, however, we are not > >threatening freedom nor personal bank accounts. > > Your claim is fundamentally wrong. The office system you have > (OpenOffice.org) already opens Doc/PPT/xls... They aren't making you > spend a penny, download, or install anything. > > You, on the other hand, are costing them time, (to download and > install), hard drive space, RAM, and possibly real money (if they pay > per minute download, or if they buy the CD). > > > >The tide is turning, we must all help make it happen. Get two friends > >to start using OOo. > > I would agree with this. It's good to help people to get OOo. But your > claims that they are costing you money is both inaccurate and absurd. > > -Chad Smith > > > --------------------------------------------------------------------- > To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
