Things you want in OpenOffice

[Dariusz]

Well, I start with...

1) For it to stop screwing up the line spacing. Parts of a document look
like it is using single spacing, and parts look like 1.5 line spacing -
despite it being told to use single spacing in whole document. It looks
terrible on screen, and even worse in print.

2) When creating a table, it would be nice to have horizontal lines reach
out to the side rulers so you can visually see how large each row is (like
in MS-Word 6 +). Would be nice for each cell to have a grab handle so you
can alter it's size visually instead of trying to guess how many pixels /
cm etc heigh the cell has to be for contents to fit.

3) When OO is first run, you should be given a option of where you want to
have your user settings kept / or if you are re-installing the package or
updating it, it asks you where these files are... instead of writing a
whole load of rubbish into the c:\ drive which I format from time to time
(and hence if I forget to backup that specific directory, lose settings).

4) "Upgrading" from OO 1.1rc3 to rc4, you had to uninstall OO to install
new version - then it didn't even remember where the user settings are kept
- even though they weren't changed from the default - hence more wasted
time getting the settings back to what they were before the "upgrade".

5) When setting up custom directories, to stop OO thinking that I want the
spreadsheet files saved in the same directories as the text files. They
should be given seperate directories, not all in one.

To that end, I think I go back to using Word97 until these problems are
sorted.

Dariusz
--

/ Take Nobody's Word For It \
| |
| Visit my Deborah Gibson website at: |
| www.deb-ski.com |
\ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ /

 

[foot in mouth]

Dariusz

OO does have a 'community' where you can input info such as that in your
post to see if such changes can be included in a future release.

Overall, OO is a pretty poor replacement (at this point) for the big pay
ones but it is freeware and some folk find it fits their limited needs.

I resisted downloading OO and trying it out until last weekend. I will be
removing it, just doesn't cut the mustard for my needs...even takes longer
to load than Word and screws up various settings in word docs so I'll get
along without it until some major improvements are made.

I did send along requests though as participating in its development is part
of the plan.

Stoney

 

[Bernd Schmitt]

First of all: this is absolutely OffTopic.

There are mailing lists, Issuezilla, forums ...

web:
http://www.openoffice.org/project_issues.html

newsgroups:
staroffice.com.support. {install.{linux,windows}, misc, starbase, starcalc,
starchart, stardraw, starimpress, starmath, starwriter, starwriter-web}

1) For it to stop screwing up the line spacing. Parts of a document
look like it is using single spacing, and parts look like 1.5 line
spacing - despite it being told to use single spacing in whole
document. It looks terrible on screen, and even worse in print.

No problem here. Advice: use templates. If you use formulas then put them
in an extra line or format them accurate. (and there is
"Registerhaltigkeit" but I don't know the word in english)

2) When creating a table, it would be nice to have horizontal lines
reach out to the side rulers so you can visually see how large each
row is (like in MS-Word 6 +).

Ok it is not implemented, but you can do it manually by scrolling a little
bit to the left.

Would be nice for each cell to have a
grab handle so you can alter it's size visually instead of trying to
guess how many pixels / cm etc heigh the cell has to be for contents
to fit.

Use "automatic" height.
But after all OOo handles tables much better than MSWord (page break .

3) When OO is first run, you should be given a option of where you
want to have your user settings kept / or if you are re-installing the
package or updating it, it asks you where these files are... instead
of writing a whole load of rubbish into the c:\ drive which I format
from time to time (and hence if I forget to backup that specific
directory, lose settings).

Do a network setup. That is preferred on multi-user systems. I never
installed it in another way. So your user-settings reside in your own
directory.

4) "Upgrading" from OO 1.1rc3 to rc4, you had to uninstall OO to
install new version - then it didn't even remember where the user
settings are kept - even though they weren't changed from the default
- hence more wasted time getting the settings back to what they were
before the "upgrade".

I never deinstalled an old version at once when installing an new one.
AFAIK you don't need that at rc3 as well.
Maybe this problems vanish if you use network install.

5) When setting up custom directories, to stop OO thinking that I want
the spreadsheet files saved in the same directories as the text files.
They should be given seperate directories, not all in one.

Huh, what kind of problems do you have? Use links.
I sort documents by topic not by extension.

To that end, I think I go back to using Word97 until these problems
are sorted.

Stay using it, but that is OffTopic.
If you are not able to use a software, do not blame the software.

EOT for me.


FUP2 staroffice.support.misc



Bernd

 

[Bernd Schmitt]

Dariusz
Overall, OO is a pretty poor replacement (at this point) for the big
pay ones but it is freeware and some folk find it fits their limited
needs.

1) LOOL you are funny. I work with it every day it is much more powerful
than MS if you have to write more than 5 pages of text (colleagues are
using MSW - no problems sharing documents). -> tables, pictures, formulas,
templates
2) OT

FUP2P
EOT4me

Bernd

 

[George Richards]

First of all: this is absolutely OffTopic.

So now the Net Cops have decided that discussing Freeware (it's improvement
and development) is OT in alt.comp.freeware!

Truly amazing.

 

[-½cut]

George Richards wrote in

So now the Net Cops have decided that discussing Freeware (it's
improvement and development) is OT in alt.comp.freeware!

IMO you couldn't get much more on-topic unless you started a
alt.comp.moaning.about.OOo
....group.

Actually, I have a moan about OOo, just in case any developers read this
thread (or someone can point out in what fashion I'm being incompetent):
When you import a .csv file with one long field; the spreadsheet chops it
up, seemingly without any reason...so you have to spend ages rejoining
the long field again.
Any ideas?

 

[Harvey Van Sickle]

(follow-up reset to alt.comp.freeware)

On Tue, 16 Sep 2003 11:29:42 GMT, Bernd Schmitt wrote

First of all: this is absolutely OffTopic.

????

Precisely how is discussing the merits of a freeware program off-topic
in alt.comp.freeware?

If all you mean is "I think there are better places to post this",
that's a deeply odd definition of OT you've got there.

-snip rest of ON TOPIC discussion-

 

[Bernd Schmitt]

So now the Net Cops have decided that discussing Freeware (it's
improvement and development) is OT in alt.comp.freeware!

Read my whole posting.
Your answer does not refer to the original posting, maybe you did not read
it at all.

 

[Bernd Schmitt]

(follow-up reset to alt.comp.freeware)

did you realize, that i pointed him to an appropriate newsgroup?

Bernd Schmitt wrote

Precisely how is discussing the merits of a freeware program off-topic
in alt.comp.freeware?

trying to invoke a freeware<>commercial bashing is no information about
freeware. you better read the original posting.

If all you mean is "I think there are better places to post this",
that's a deeply odd definition of OT you've got there.

there are better places, because there are places especially made for
this:

web:
http://www.openoffice.org/project_issues.html

newsgroups:
staroffice.com.support. {install.{linux,windows}, misc, starbase,
starcalc, starchart, stardraw, starimpress, starmath, starwriter,
starwriter-web}

pointing somebody to this places is much better than your zero-
information moaning.

-snip rest of ON TOPIC discussion-

snipping the on topic part shows your attitude -> moaning, creating noise
but not providing useful informations.


Bernd

 

[Sweet Andy Licious]

did you realize, that i pointed him to an appropriate newsgroup?

trying to invoke a freeware<>commercial bashing is no information
about freeware. you better read the original posting.


there are better places, because there are places especially made for
this:

web:
http://www.openoffice.org/project_issues.html

newsgroups:
staroffice.com.support. {install.{linux,windows}, misc, starbase,
starcalc, starchart, stardraw, starimpress, starmath, starwriter,
starwriter-web}

pointing somebody to this places is much better than your zero-
information moaning.


snipping the on topic part shows your attitude -> moaning, creating
noise but not providing useful informations.


Bernd

Well, I totally disagree with Bernd. Many people, myself included have never
tried OO; IIRC it's quite a long download and some are on dial up.
Discussions of this sort move people to make or not make the effort.

FTR I saw a thread awhile ago extolling the vritues of OO and how it'd
worked on and improved the product, so why can't people complain if they
want. As far as the newsgroups go, you and everyone else knows that people
come and go to the newsgroups they like. If they're not familiar with a NG
most people don't go there, or only look around.

I am not a NG junkie, they serve their purpose, but I do post info and
complaints and questions as that's what the group is for. In addition, if
you're not really INTO OO, they why even participate in a NG, I mean after
all it's just an office suite like any other office suite, that happens to
be freeware.

As far as alt.comp.freeware.discussion, I've been there a few times, but it
has far less participation than this group, and to my way of thinking, the
more people that read things the better chance you have of getting feedback.

Bernd, I just thing you're over the top on this. That is all.

 

[Harvey Van Sickle]

(follow-up reset to alt.comp.freeware)

did you realize, that i pointed him to an appropriate newsgroup?[/QUOTE]

Yes -- but there is more than one appropriate newsgroup.
alt.comp.freeware is an entirely appropriate newsgroup.

trying to invoke a freeware<>commercial bashing is no information
about freeware. you better read the original posting.

I've been reading this thread from the start: the original post
contained constructive criticism about shortcomings the poster saw in
the existing release of OO. A wishlist. Of things that would improve
the program.

You'd do yourself a favour if you abandoned the knee-jerk assumption
that remarking on things one considers lacking in a program is
"bashing" that program.

Get a thicker skin: your blood pressure will appreciate it.

there are better places, because there are places especially made
for this:

But that's irrelevant to whether it's on/off topic for this group:
have you not yet realised that things can be on-topic for more than one
group? It was certainly on topic in this one.

-snip repeat of alternative places the OP could have posted had he/she
wished to do so, but presumably chose not to-

pointing somebody to this places is much better than your zero-
information moaning.

You're the one who whined -- inaccurately -- about an on-topic post
being off-topic.

Have a nice life.

 

[Bernd Schmitt]

Well, I totally disagree with Bernd. Many people, myself included have
never tried OO; IIRC it's quite a long download and some are on dial
up. Discussions of this sort move people to make or not make the
effort.

It is easier to get a magazine CD to try it.
The way the OP started the "discussion" was a bashing. If he had compared
it to another freeware program I would agree with you. To my opinion
comparing freeware to freeware is on topic, what the OP did was not.
After all I think I gave him usefull informations after this one line. I
wonder why there is so much traffic about this one line.

FTR I saw a thread awhile ago extolling the vritues of OO and how it'd
worked on and improved the product, so why can't people complain if
they want.

I pointed a way, where informations of this kind would be more effective.


Bernd

 

[Bernd Schmitt]

trying to invoke a freeware<>commercial bashing is no information
about freeware. you better read the original posting.

I've been reading this thread from the start: the original post
contained constructive criticism about shortcomings the poster saw in
the existing release of OO. A wishlist. Of things that would improve
the program.[/QUOTE]
1) stop screwing up the line spacing
2) table, horizontal lines reach out to the side rulers
3+4) keeping user settings
5) directories depending on filetypes
I answered to this "wishlist". Did you?
I told him that the best audience for this "wishlist" would be
issuezilla. There are the developers.

I gave him informations. I pointed him to a better source of
informations. You are complaining about one line I wrote, but you don't
give any useful information.


Bernd

 

[George Richards]

Read my whole posting.
Your answer does not refer to the original posting, maybe you did not read
it at all.

The original poster mentioned items that he felt would be enhancements to
OO.o. He used Microsoft Word as a comparison to make his point. The original
respondent agreed with the OP's position. Your response was to ridicule both
of them by referring to their positions as laughable and OT.

Often in this group, people will ask for a program that is similar to a
shareware program. It is also common to recommend a program by comparing it
to a payware program. Why should it be OT to wish for enhancements in a
freeware program, so it will be more like a well known commercial program?

As for your arrogant remark "Your answer does not refer to the original
posting, maybe you did not read
it at all." I read the OP's posting, the original respondents posting, and
everybody else's postings. Despite your lame attempts at controlling what
this group may or may not discuss, they have all said YOUR COMMENTS ARE
WRONG!

 

[Bernd Schmitt]

The original poster mentioned items that he felt would be enhancements to
OO.o.

1) stop screwing up the line spacing
2) table, horizontal lines reach out to the side rulers
3+4) keeping user settings
5) directories depending on filetypes
I answered to this "wishlist". Did you?
I told him that the best audience for this "wishlist" would be
issuezilla. There are the developers.

He used Microsoft Word as a comparison to make his point. The original
respondent agreed with the OP's position. Your response was to ridicule both
of them by referring to their positions as laughable and OT.

Dariusz wrote:
"Overall, OO is a pretty poor replacement (at this point) for the big
pay ones but it is freeware and some folk find it fits their limited
needs. "
-> poor replacment, limited needs ...
This kind of talking ca not be taken serious.

I responded:
"1) LOOL you are funny. I work with it every day it is much more powerful
than MS if you have to write more than 5 pages of text (colleagues are
using MSW - no problems sharing documents). -> tables, pictures, formulas,
templates
2) OT"

I still think it is adequate.

Often in this group, people will ask for a program that is similar to a
shareware program. It is also common to recommend a program by comparing it
to a payware program. Why should it be OT to wish for enhancements in a
freeware program, so it will be more like a well known commercial program?

enhancements or imputations like:
" ... stop screwing up the line spacing ..."?

As for your arrogant remark "Your answer does not refer to the original
posting, maybe you did not read
it at all." I read the OP's posting, the original respondents posting, and
everybody else's postings.

Like your naming me "Net Cops"?
Your posting still does not contribute any useful information on the
problems of the thread starting posting, nor did any of the other ones
in this thread. You only create noise in this thread, or did I overlook
useful information in your post? Even though I thought the starting post
was off topic my posting gave him _some_ useful informations, you did not.

Bernd

 

[Dariusz]

1) stop screwing up the line spacing
2) table, horizontal lines reach out to the side rulers
3+4) keeping user settings
5) directories depending on filetypes
I answered to this "wishlist". Did you?
I told him that the best audience for this "wishlist" would be
issuezilla. There are the developers.

The "best place" may be the place you mention, but as this is a freeware
group, and as far as I can see, Open Office is freeware (GNU?), then it is
NOT off topic to discuss it here.

If I went for Sun / Star Office (or whatever it's called), that would be a
different thing altogether and I would not even bring it up here as you pay
for that version.

Dariusz wrote:
"Overall, OO is a pretty poor replacement (at this point) for the big
pay ones but it is freeware and some folk find it fits their limited
needs. "
-> poor replacment, limited needs ...
This kind of talking ca not be taken serious.

This would be called cutting TOO MUCH from other peoples postings. If you
look right to the beginning of the tread, I NEVER wrote the paragraph that
is written above "Dariusz wrote:..." Many people here now attribute that
comment (which I don't believe by the way) as mine, when I never made it.
You cut someone elses reply and made it mine.

I do not and would never say that Open Office is a poor replacement for
MS-Word, quite the opposite, it is very powerful... but I think the points
I raised in my original posting were valid points to raise.

Dariusz
--

/ Take Nobody's Word For It \
| |
| Visit my Deborah Gibson website at: |
| www.deb-ski.com |
\ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ /

 

[Bernd Schmitt]

Bernd Schmitt wrote:

If I went for Sun / Star Office (or whatever it's called), that would be a
different thing altogether and I would not even bring it up here as you pay
for that version.

As well as for word (

This would be called cutting TOO MUCH from other peoples postings. If you
look right to the beginning of the tread, I NEVER wrote the paragraph that
is written above "Dariusz wrote:..." Many people here now attribute that
comment (which I don't believe by the way) as mine, when I never made it.
You cut someone elses reply and made it mine.

I messed something up, you are right. I was accused of making you and
your first respondend laughable. I mixed up your post with that of your
first respondend.

I do not and would never say that Open Office is a poor replacement for
MS-Word, quite the opposite, it is very powerful... but I think the points
I raised in my original posting were valid points to raise.

Apart from 2) your points IMHO are not valid.

1) stop screwing up the line spacing
hints: templates, fixed line spacing ...

2) table, horizontal lines reach out to the side rulers
work around: scrolling left a bit (to the side ruler)

3+4) keeping user settings
netword installation should solve your problems here
as root/admin: setup -net
as user: <program-path>setup

5) directories depending on filetypes
Use links. If this would be really important you could do this with a
script, but usually files are sorted by topic.


Bernd

 

[foot in mouth]

Dariusz is quite correct, he didn't make the comments attributed to him by
Bernd. I, the OR (the Original Responder) made them and of course I stand by
them...that's just me and my opinion. Many others feel differently and I
take no offence to that as all are entitled to their opinion.
I've just not had any real positive experiences with OO, perhaps I was too
weened on the other one (can't mention it here lest I raise the rath of
Bernd).
I thought however, that I made an effort to direct Dariusz to the
appropriate place which was really the intent of the response.
Can't please everyone and wont try to.

Stoney

 

[Dariusz]

I thought however, that I made an effort to direct Dariusz to the
appropriate place which was really the intent of the response.
Can't please everyone and wont try to.

Well, whatever... I did visit the official site link that was suggested,
and will be signing up and suggesting these things to the development
"guys".

Just didn't like it that I was attributed as saying something when it was
someone else that did.

Still enjoy this newsgroup - no harm done.

Dariusz

 

[Christopher Jahn]

did you realize, that i pointed him to an appropriate
newsgroup?

Nitpick:
THIS is an appropriate newsgroup for the topic, the one you
pointed him to was a BETTER newsgroup.

Bernd, your tone isn't helping your cause, unless you WANT to be
killfiled and ignored, instead of read and respected.


--
Christopher Jahn
:-(

http://mywebpage.netscape.com/xjahn/Main.html

An idea is not responsible for the people who believe in it.