Re: [tdf-discuss] RE: Proposal to join Apache OpenOffice

Is it possible to allow Oracle to donate to Apache and then for TDF to go to
Apache and say "Please let us have that?"

Oracle are code-dumping because the community left them standing alone.
Oracle are acting as generous benefactors but may end up splitting the OS
community over this one.  We do not need two near-identical office suites.
The duplication in effort is not worth it.

The option of LibO becoming a customised build of Apache OO, where we take
from them and add our own things becomes a maintenance nightmare.  LibO 3.4
already has enough clear differences from OOo 3.4 that make the idea of
moving code modules back and forth difficult.  There will be a lot of
re-engineering simply to keep things working and much potential to introduce
bugs.

> From a marketing point of view, the appearance of yet another OpenOffice is
not helpful.  We now have OpenOffice.org, Star Office, Oracle Open Office,
BrOffice, Go-oo, Apache OpenOffice, IBM Symphony, NeoOffice, Euro Office
and, of course, LibreOffice.  At least when everything else was a build of
OOo with some addons, it could be understood.  When TDF was set up, it was a
case of everything else being a build of LibO with addons, plus
OpenOffice.org - and we hoped either Oracle would code-dump in our
direction, or just go away.

When TDF was set up, there was an invitation to Oracle to take part.  They
declined.  This invitation should be passed on to Apache.  They don't need
the hassle of maintaining a parallel project - especially one that the wider
community has dropped.

ZF

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