03.27.08
OpenOffice.Org 2.4 Coming Shortly, Should ODF Come to LSB?
A month ago we showed some video demos of the new OpenOffice.org. This included some OpenGL-accelerated eye candy, but one of the better features is probably the inclusion of a GPLv3 variant [1, 2]. Novell is likely to take its own separate route as a result.
In any event, expect an announcement of the new release (version 2.4) later today.
OpenOffice will see a new release today: version 2.4.
There are already some previews of version 3.0 and encouraging signs of great adoption. Over at commandline.org.uk, there is actually a proposal for blending in of ODF with the Linux Standard Base. It’s clear that GNU/Linux adoption is dependent on open standards, including that of documents.
Include ODF support in the Linux Standard Base?
[...]
Enter the Linux Standard Base
The Linux Standard Base Desktop Specification provides a standard desktop for developers to target when writing desktop applications.
The points raised there are valid, but it probably remains to be understood just how Linux-specific (or specific to any platform for that matter) ODF is. Everything should be universal, but Novell, Linspire, Xandros and Turbolinux won’t make things easy.
It has become increasingly obvious that adoption of Free software and the Free Desktop depends on the success and the network effect ODF can capitalise on. That’s why Microsoft is in a great rush. Microsoft know this, which is why its aggressive (even unethical or illegal) fight for OOXML is not just a fight for Office, but a fight for the relevance of its entire proprietary franchise, including Windows. That’s just how important ODF is. █
Highlight: Novell was the first to acknowledge that Microsoft FUD tactics had substance. Novell then used anti-Linux FUD to market itself. 
Highlight: Xandros let Microsoft make patent claims and brag about (paid-for) OOXML support. 
Highlight: Linspire's CEO not only fell into Microsoft arms, but he also assisted the company's attack on GNU/Linux. 
Highlight: Microsoft craves pseudo (proprietary) standards and gets its way using proxies and influence which it buys. 
Highlight: The invasion into the open source world is intended to leave Linux companies neglected, due to financial incentives from Microsoft. 
Analysis: Xen, an open source hypervisor, possibly fell victim to Microsoft's aggressive (and stealthy) acquisition-by-proxy strategy.
Gopal said,
March 27, 2008 at 5:56 am
Novell and Michael Meeks seem to have no issues with OpenOffice moving to LGPLv3. see link http://www.gnome.org/~michael/activity.html#2008-03-06
I am more curious about what happens to StarOffice. When OOo3.0 moves to LGPv3 what happens to StarOffice which is protected by the patent covenant agreement of 2004 betn Sun and MS. As I understand OpenOffice and StarOffice share the same code base so will MS pull out of the agreement ?
Roy Schestowitz said,
March 27, 2008 at 7:08 am
IANAL and I don’t know for a fact. However, I’ve been finding some annoying stuff. A reader sent me this just moments ago, so it seems abundantly clear that Microsoft must be stopped from deciding the law. Novell will help Microsoft, by deeds.
DOUGman said,
March 27, 2008 at 11:42 am
…At last year’s OSBC Microsoft patents attorney Jim Markwith justified the reason not to publish the claimed patents saying it was “administratively impossible”.
Then on the obverse, it should be “administratively impossible” to retroactively obtain protection monies for fairy tales.
D.
Roy Schestowitz said,
March 27, 2008 at 12:19 pm
Or even to /count/ the patents.