Encouraging Members to Use Unit Websites

[dobrichelovek]

I know that our Clerk computer has OpenOffice on it and I have encouraged those around me to try it out as an economical (free) alternative to another popular program. I noticed that OpenOffice extensions are not included in the list of file types that can be posted to the website. Is there a policy against having the OpenOffice format supported on the LUWS even though the clerk computers come with it installed by default? Does it actually prohibit you from posting these files? Is this something that could be 'fixed' before LUWS 2.0 is done?

[russellhltn]

I noticed that OpenOffice extensions are not included in the list of file types that can be posted to the website. Is there a policy against having the OpenOffice format supported on the LUWS even though the clerk computers come with it installed by default?

That's a good point. While I wouldn't be against lifting any restrictions on OO file types, I certainly wouldn't recommend posting using those file types. OO can read MS Office files. But I don't think MS Office can read OpenOffice's default file format.

MS Office seems to be ubiquitous to the point that everyone has either MS Office, OpenOffice or the free MS Viewer. The same can not be said for the OO file format. Posting in a OO format is likely to cause the document to be unread.

[rmrichesjr]

Posting in a platform-neutral format such as PDF would be even better.

[russellhltn]

Posting in a platform-neutral format such as PDF would be even better.

I agree. I can't think of a better format for general distribution.

Formats like Word or Excel are best for things that are to be edited or otherwise customized.

[WelchTC]

The nice thing about OO is that there is an export to PDF.

Tom

[Mikerowaved]

The nice thing about OO is that there is an export to PDF.

True. MS Ofice 2007 (finally) has this option as well. Of course, we all know about free utilities like CutePDF that will do the job for any "PDF-challenged" applications.

[rmrichesjr]

Although CutePDF actually produced postscript, not PDF, in the test I made of it.

[mkmurray]

Although CutePDF actually produced postscript, not PDF, in the test I made of it.

I get PDFs.

[Mikerowaved]

I get PDFs.

Me too. Never heard of anyone getting anything other than a PDF from it.


BTW, congrats mkmurray on your 500th post!

[emrolgould]

From CutePDF.com:
Installation Requirements

• Supports Microsoft Windows 98/ME/2000/XP/2003/Vista (x32/x64).
• Requires PS2PDF converter such as Ghostscript (recommended).
  You can get the free GPL Ghostscript 8.15 here.

So I guess without PS2PDF your document stays as a .ps

Emrol