Embedding Goodies in the ODF Package (was RE: [tdf-discuss] Re: ANN: ODF 1.2 Candidate OASIS Standard ... )

Well, sure, you can use an ODF package just like a Zip archive and add parts to it.

The ODF Specification does not prevent that.

However, the META-INF/manifest.xml file should be updated to include the addition.

You can't count on any ODF consumer preserving a file that seems to have no use, even though there 
are those who think such accretions should be preserved.  People who worry about document security, 
authenticity, and corporate information leaks tend to disagree and arrange to have their 
implementations delete material that is not recognized. There are implications for digitally-signed 
documents, as well.

The problem with this is that now someone has to fish the fonts out of there and install them where 
they are actually recognized for presenting the document.  If LibreOffice is updated to automate 
the capture of fonts and their extraction again, aren't we back to the previously-unsolved problem?

At that point, it might be better to do it the other way round.  Put the ODF document in a Zip 
archive (or tar.gz or whatever) along with the fonts and instructions on what to do with the fonts 
if one wants a rendition of the ODF document close to what was intended by its author.

Or just separate the fonts into a handy Zip bundle that is available somewhere and perhaps put a 
little note in the document about what fonts work best along with information on finding and 
installing the font package.  Observing the necessities of license conditions, of course.

I am sure there are covert arrangements that could be created.  I have nothing to say about that.

 - Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Steve Edmonds [mailto:steve.edmonds@ptglobal.com] 
Sent: Sunday, June 26, 2011 13:49
To: discuss@documentfoundation.org
Subject: Re: [tdf-discuss] Re: ANN: ODF 1.2 Candidate OASIS Standard Enters 60-Day Public Review, 
prerequisite for balloting as OASIS Standard

[ ... ]

Hi.
Can the ODF file format not include a container for user-data. May be 
specifying how that data should be catalogued but not what that data is. 
There is no worry about legalities in regards ODF and placing fonts in 
that data. Then LO would be free to place fonts in that "user-data" and 
use them as required for faithfull document transferal. Provides a 
solution while the debate continues.
steve



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