[Fsfe-uk] Re: Free Libre Open Source Software

[Adam Moran]

Hi Joe, Hi Centres

> Phil Hunt wrote:
>
> > If there is resistance from a user base to switching over to Open
> > Office, I would suggest making it voluntary for existing employees
> > to switch over, but giving ones that do a bonus of say 50 quid; this
> > would, I'm sure, generate sufficient enthusiasm within a workforce
> > to effect a rapid changeover without negatively affecting morale.

Joe Fortey wrote:

> I strongly support the appropriate use of open source software, but the
> problem for me (perhaps for most people) is not the the learning curve
> to use a different office suite but the flakey compatability with
> Microsoft file formats.

I recently switched my main work machine to Red Hat Fedora [1]; the only 
thing that was stopping me switching operating systems was the question 
of 'flakey compatability with Microsoft file formats'. I took the plunge 
and I now use Open Office 1.1.0 instead of Microsoft Office.

> Until Open Office (or any alternative) can allow me to open or edit or
> save any Microsoft document without page formatting or some other
> feature being corrupted, it just ain't worth the fiddle - Open Office
> may be both free libre and free gratis but my patience isn't libre, nor
> my time gratis.

Yeah - I know what you mean :-( ... I have one remaining Windows machine 
in my office ... and that's to read, and append word files which are 
sent to me. We have had to change the formatting of our standard 
documentation also. New documents are fine though ... its more like a 
incompatabilty of Word with OO, than OO with Word.

> > I strongly support the appropriate use of open source software

What do you think would be the best way to get FLOSS used in the Centres ?

All the best

--
Adam