[TriLUG] linux apps on desktop that support *.mdb, *.vsd, *.dwg and *.mpp

[Chris Bullock]

Chris Hedemark wrote:

>
> On Wednesday, May 14, 2003, at 12:05 PM, Michael Thompson wrote:
>
>> In most of the places I've worked or consulted for, Word was 'standard'
>> format that could be shared.  My 'non-standard' software would be the
>> oddity, so why should everyone change to accommodate me?
>
>
> RTF is not non-standard.  Word will use it happily, as will many other 
> apps.  I've had luck getting Windoze users to export to RTF.
>
> Plain text works too and everyone can handle it. 

If thats the case why don't we all use notepad?

>
>
>> Most people just don't care. They just want to get their jobs done
>> efficiently (the way they know how) and go home.  (and have pretty
>> documents)  :)  I can actually relate to this, as I will be as stubborn
>> about my Macromedia apps (Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Flash) until something
>> comparable (that is reliable) is available for Linux.
>
>
> If Microsoft put piracy controls on MS Word, this "standard" would dry 
> up quickly.  They are willing to tolerate piracy to ensure that their 
> document format stays "standard".  If someone had to spend $300 solely 
> to read an email attachment from grandma, they would quickly start 
> doing some of the things that have been suggested in this thread. 

If someone spent $300 to read an email attachment from grandma that 
serves them right, Microsoft offers free viewers if all you want to do 
is read an attachment.

>
>
>> They would argue that they lost several hours making their text look so
>> 'professional'... 
>
The point is that more people use Microsoft Office than all other office 
suites combined.  We have do deal with several different vendors daily 
that use MS Office exclusively.  If you "politely" told them to resend a 
quote done in excell or retype an application done in word most would 
tell you to forget it.  I have used it all, MS Office, Star Office, 
Corel Suite, and even Koffice.  And if MS Office is so evil then why at 
the Trilug meetings do so many people run MS Office on their Linux and 
Mac laptops.  From my point and all MS Office users, people use MS 
Office because it is the most commanly used, easiest to learn, and from 
personal experience more stable than Open or Star Office.  The point is 
until there is a better suite people are going to continue to use MS 
Office because it far exceeds all others in functionality and ease of use.
--cgb

>>
>
> It's a futile argument.  All time is lost, and none can be gained.  
> You can use it effectively as it passes by, or you can waste the 
> opportunity.
>
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