Is OpenOffice.org a Threat? Microsoft Thinks So

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

Is OpenOffice.org a Threat? Microsoft Thinks So

One of the unusual aspects of open source is the fact that the software development philosophy spills over into the way that the project is run. This means that how and why things are done, and by whom, is plain for all to see. Contrast that with Microsoft's approach, which mimics the black box of its software: mostly, all we ever get to view are the results, and rarely the cogs and gears behind those results.

Sometimes, though, some apparently obscure document grants us a rare insight into what is happening deep in the bowels of the Microsoft machine. Here's an example, a delightfully jargon-ridden job advertisement for the ?Linux and Open Office Compete Lead, US Subsidiary (CSI Lead)?:

If you?re looking for a new role where you?ll focus on one of the biggest issues that is top of mind for KT and Steve B in ?Compete?, build a complete left to right understanding of the subsidiary, have a large amount of executive exposure, build and manage the activities of a v-team of 13 district Linux& Open Office Compete Leads, and develop a broad set of marketing skills and report to a management team committed to development and recognized for high WHI this is the position for you!

Once you've got past the entertaining ?top of mind? and ?complete left to right understanding? phraseology, this reveals something incredibly important about the current thinking at Microsoft: that OpenOffice.org now figures almost as largely in the competitive landscape as does GNU/Linux, and the fact there are no less than *13* ?district Linux and Open Office Compete Leads? focussing on what is described as "one of the biggest issues" for no less a person than Steve Ballmer.

That's huge: until now, most people have tended to dismiss the open source office project as a distant runner-up to Microsoft Office, and certainly not a serious contender. Microsoft obviously feels otherwise, which means that OpenOffice.org is clearly doing something right.

The ad has some more details about the post:

The core mission of CSI is to win share against Linux and OpenOffice.org by designing and driving marketing programs, changing perceptions, engaging with Open Source communities and organizations, and drive internal readiness on how to compete with Commercial Linux and participate with Open Source Communities.

What's of note here is not just the business about marketing programs and changing perceptions, but the fact that a key part of this ?Linux and Open Office Compete Lead? position is ?engaging with Open Source communities and organizations?. This confirms what many of us have been warning about for some time: that Microsoft's new-found eagerness to ?engage? with open source has nothing to do with a real desire to reach a pacific accommodation with free software, but is simply a way for it to fight against it from close up, and armed with inside knowledge.

Free software projects need to bear this in mind when Redmond comes knocking on their doors, and tries to suggest that it would be mutually beneficial for them to work together. The intent is for that benefit to flow one way, and one way only, as this job advertisement makes clear.

News source: ComputerworldUK via Slashdot

Link: The Microsoft job advert in question.

[Elessar]

I've tried OO.org a few times over the past few years, and while 3.1 is nice...and usable...there's just something about Word (2007) that feels right. Whether it be the interface, speed, familiarity, I don't know, but it's nice knowing there's an alternative should I choose not to upgrade to Office 2010.

[Maple Arrow]

I use both OO and MSO, unfortunately, I have to admit, I enjoyed MSO more than OO.

[Cy-Kill]

If MS really wants to compete against OOo on Linux, then make a version of MSO for Linux.

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

If MS really wants to compete against OOo on Linux, then make a version of MSO for Linux.

They don't have to. You know why?

That's why.

[Cy-Kill]

That pie chart has nothing to do with the office suites, just the OSes.

[Lee G. Veteran]

That pie chart has nothing to do with the office suites, just the OSes.

So?

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

That pie chart has nothing to do with the office suites, just the OSes.

The pie chart gives you the reason why it doesn't make sense for MS to come out with a Linux version of Office.

Linux users make up for 1% of the total market share. 99% of them wouldn't buy MS Office for Linux. Simply put, it would cost MS more than it is worth.

[Cy-Kill]

If you knew your history, MS did have a version of Office for UNIX, so it's time they bring out a version for Linux, if you don't want to really compete with them fully, then join them.

[brentaal]

If you knew your history

Cool comeback, bro.

MS did have a version of Office for UNIX

Full stop.

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

If you knew your history, MS did have a version of Office for UNIX, so it's time they bring out a version for Linux, if you don't want to really compete with them fully, then join them.

Microsoft had a CLI version of Word for SCO UNIX and Xenix, and a Xenix version of Multiplan - CLI spreadsheet which predates Excel.

A graphical version of Office for UNIX/Linux has never existed and will never exist for the reasons I mentioned above.

[c3ntury]

What many people fail to realise is OpenOffice doesnt have 1/10 of the budget Microsoft Office does.

If you give 2 children different amount of ingrediants to create the most extravagent meal they can, the one with the more ingrediants surely has the better chance?

[Syanide]

So, what the article basically says is that Microsoft's opening 13 FUD spreading units country-wide.

Some of you people should apply for the job :p

[zhangm Supervisor]

What many people fail to realise is OpenOffice doesnt have 1/10 of the budget Microsoft Office does.

Consequently, OpenOffice kinda sucks. Don't get me wrong, it is a great alternative if you have no money.

[The_Decryptor Veteran]

What many people fail to realise is OpenOffice doesnt have 1/10 of the budget Microsoft Office does.

If you give 2 children different amount of ingrediants to create the most extravagent meal they can, the one with the more ingrediants surely has the better chance?

If computer programs were written out of money, that would make sense.

People contribute to OpenOffice because they want to, wanting to do something is quite a good motivating factor.

[bob21]

Consequently, OpenOffice kinda sucks. Don't get me wrong, it is a great alternative if you have no money.

kinda ? Thats the understatement of the decade, Speaking of which its GUI is a few decades out of date :laugh:

[Knife Party]

what's next ? .... Abiword :rolleyes:

[markwolfe Veteran]

If you knew your history, MS did have a version of Office for UNIX, so it's time they bring out a version for Linux, if you don't want to really compete with them fully, then join them.

I am nearly certain you are confusing IE for unix with MS Office for Unix (which never existed). As mentioned earlier, their spreadsheet offering predates their "Office" product. And was probably in existence back when Microsoft sold their own unix (xenix).

What many people fail to realise is OpenOffice doesnt have 1/10 of the budget Microsoft Office does.

Or that Microsoft's Office team is probably 1/10 of the OpenOffice contributors.

Statistics are fun, because you can look at them so many different ways. ;)

Consequently, OpenOffice kinda sucks. Don't get me wrong, it is a great alternative if you have no money.

OpenOffice.org has a more basic interface than MSO. It lacks the ribbon. But it doesn't "suck" just because it is not a Microsoft product. It is quite capable, and if it were not so, I would not have been able to rely on it during the past 6 or so years I have not used Microsoft at home. I transferred documents back and forth without issues, and it has done what I have needed.

For many people out there, OO.o is a good alternative. Period.

[FloatingFatMan]

Shouldn't the web version of Office 2010 run on Linux anyway, as it just needs a web browser? Not actually tried it myself...

[CelticWhisper]

I am nearly certain you are confusing IE for unix with MS Office for Unix (which never existed). As mentioned earlier, their spreadsheet offering predates their "Office" product. And was probably in existence back when Microsoft sold their own unix (xenix).

Or that Microsoft's Office team is probably 1/10 of the OpenOffice contributors.

Statistics are fun, because you can look at them so many different ways. ;)

OpenOffice.org has a more basic interface than MSO. It lacks the ribbon. But it doesn't "suck" just because it is not a Microsoft product. It is quite capable, and if it were not so, I would not have been able to rely on it during the past 6 or so years I have not used Microsoft at home. I transferred documents back and forth without issues, and it has done what I have needed.

For many people out there, OO.o is a good alternative. Period.

Agreed on all points - I'd like to see how they plan on stopping me from using OOO. I object to using MSO on principle, not on featureset, and that's not going to change anytime soon.

[revvo]

If MS really wants to compete against OOo on Linux, then make a free version of MSO for Linux.

Fixed that for you. You just can't beat that pricetag

[Fraud OS 11]

Someone please wake me up when they get updating right and not require bloated 200 MB installers on Windows every time.

[Knife Party]

Someone please wake me up when they get updating right and not require bloated 200 MB installers on Windows every time.

Houston we have a troll :sleep:

[markwolfe Veteran]

Shouldn't the web version of Office 2010 run on Linux anyway, as it just needs a web browser? Not actually tried it myself...

Oh, I guess you are new to this "Microsoft" thing. They will undoubtedly use Silverlight for the "optimal customer experience", and that will exclude Linux users. Microsoft doesn't release Silverlight for Linux, and Moonlight is well behind the Silverlight release. And you know Microsoft will require the latest Silverlight for it to work correctly. ;)

[Subject Delta]

If Microsoft want to keep Office in the hunt, I feel they need to price it a bit more competitively. Granted, the pro version of Office is very powerful, but at the prices Microsoft charge (I am referring to normal retail, not student licensing) they may be likely to loose customers as OO gets better and better.