Contemplating the possible retirement of Apache OpenOffice(lwn.net)
lwn.net
Contemplating the possible retirement of Apache OpenOffice
https://lwn.net/Articles/699047/
318 comments
Could they drop openoffice, then rename libreoffice to openoffice? That would be fantastic
Apache should never have accepted this hot potato from Oracle in the first place.
I think the document foundation should get the brand, instant of Apache squatting. It's still far better known that libreoffice.
It is really depressing reading the thread to see that how some members just can't let it go. I'm totally pro-diversity and support different projects and forks with different priorities but AOO's track record and sitting on top of a valuable brand has been a net loss for the open source in office area. I wouldn't mind it at all had they continue to develop their own thing named SolidOffice or whatnot, but I know companies which still use Openoffice on Windows, because that is what they have had always used, nevermind it doesn't even get prompt security updates.
OpenOffice's website design, marketing efforts, and documentation are less friendly to non-technical people that those of LibreOffice, the most prominent fork of OpenOffice. Subtle "superficial" details matter a lot to non-technical people -- for example, LibreOffice's web page has a "Get Help" link, instead of a "Support" page.
In addition, LibreOffice has been the default office suite in key GNU/Linux distributions like Ubuntu for many years.
As a result, the LibreOffice fork has been more widely adopted than OpenOffice, leading to the present situation.
One possible path for the OpenOffice folks would be to copy the Linux kernel and become an "upstream project" that others use to create a range of office-suite distributions like LibreOffice. In other words, stop packaging and marketing OpenOffice to end-users. Stop competing for end-users with downstream projects.
In addition, LibreOffice has been the default office suite in key GNU/Linux distributions like Ubuntu for many years.
As a result, the LibreOffice fork has been more widely adopted than OpenOffice, leading to the present situation.
One possible path for the OpenOffice folks would be to copy the Linux kernel and become an "upstream project" that others use to create a range of office-suite distributions like LibreOffice. In other words, stop packaging and marketing OpenOffice to end-users. Stop competing for end-users with downstream projects.
Follow the actual (open and public) discussion:
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/6d3bb86f8abc1ae88f3aa3a...
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/6d3bb86f8abc1ae88f3aa3a...
I thought everyone interested in a FOSS office suite was using libreoffice.
Simplest instant solution: 301 every page about openoffice to a page about libreoffice.
Well, my prediction[1] came true even faster than I anticipated. I don't understand why so many people seem so desperate to see AOO fail and go away. Hey look, if you prefer LO, fine. Some of us prefer AOO for our own reasons. There's no reason to take glee in seeing a project struggle.
Anyway, none of this means the project is actually going to be retired. It's just a discussion around something that might happen.
[1]: http://www.mail-archive.com/dev%40openoffice.apache.org/msg2...
Anyway, none of this means the project is actually going to be retired. It's just a discussion around something that might happen.
[1]: http://www.mail-archive.com/dev%40openoffice.apache.org/msg2...
Anyone know if this would impact on NeoOffice, the Mac native port? They seem to draw code from both LibreOffice and OpenOffice.
[Side note: the way NeoOffice asks for yearly donations in order to access binary updates is very smart. Synergy also uses this method, and NeoOffice & Synergy are the first GPL projects I've regularly contributed to as a result.]
[Side note: the way NeoOffice asks for yearly donations in order to access binary updates is very smart. Synergy also uses this method, and NeoOffice & Synergy are the first GPL projects I've regularly contributed to as a result.]
This was all but expected once Oracle sent OOo to the open source retirement home. LibreOffice continues to thrive and has replaced all the OOo installs at my workplace.
See also this discussion on the mailing list, where I asked (recently, August 3rd) if it is a viable idea to somehow combine efforts with LibreOffice again:
http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/msg277...
http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/msg277...
Ars Technica: "OpenOffice, after years of neglect, could shut down"
http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2016/09/openof...
http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2016/09/openof...
How did the whole Oracle buys Sun thing work out for the OSS projets in general?
Did LibreOffice and MariaDB get all the core devs?
Did LibreOffice and MariaDB get all the core devs?
Why does Open/LibreOffice matter anymore?
This is a sincere question. I'm well aware of why OO was a big deal circa 2000 when I was using it (if I'm getting the dates right). I cannot figure out why it matters anymore, or why it will matter in 10 years.
Back when every year was going to be the year of "Linux on the desktop" the linchpin was MS Office. That's because we didn't have the million different SaaS products we have today, products tailor made for jobs only Office would be considered for.
Basically MS Office was a hammer and everything was a nail. This is not the world today.
Today there are a number of viable alternatives and there continues to be innovation around the jobs MS Office was traditionally used for.
Someone is going to bring up: vendor lock in, Freedom, etc... I don't get those arguments any more.
This is a sincere question. I'm well aware of why OO was a big deal circa 2000 when I was using it (if I'm getting the dates right). I cannot figure out why it matters anymore, or why it will matter in 10 years.
Back when every year was going to be the year of "Linux on the desktop" the linchpin was MS Office. That's because we didn't have the million different SaaS products we have today, products tailor made for jobs only Office would be considered for.
Basically MS Office was a hammer and everything was a nail. This is not the world today.
Today there are a number of viable alternatives and there continues to be innovation around the jobs MS Office was traditionally used for.
Someone is going to bring up: vendor lock in, Freedom, etc... I don't get those arguments any more.
I honestly didn't know that AOO was still updated, as I've really not seen anyone use it in the last three years.
Upon re-trying it out right now, it actually seems perfectly fine...I kind of wonder why no one uses it.
Upon re-trying it out right now, it actually seems perfectly fine...I kind of wonder why no one uses it.
I literally downloaded this for the first time in years the yesterday. This is really sad news.
Here's an idea. If OpenOffice has no contributors. How about all the libreoffice folks start committing to both code bases or mirror them, whatever? Maybe the only thing that differs between the code bases is some splash screen and text resource bundles, ultimately.
Why not bury the hatchet, devs?
Why not bury the hatchet, devs?
i think what is growing is markdown types and such. i like.
About damn time.
Have OpenOffice actually done anything.
Thanks Oracle!
LibreOffice should go back to its Java roots. It was a dumb decision to move away from an excellent language and platform.
Proof: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/msg282...
Don't say the word.
End users play no role any more? Good luck with that.