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List:       koffice
Subject:    RE: Import Filters
From:       Nicolas Goutte <nicog () snafu ! de>
Date:       2001-04-13 20:26:52
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1. MS Word Documents

Yes, we need an import filter for MS Word Document in KWord. Many people 
want (and need) it.
And it is not because any other UNIX application can read a file format 
that KOffice should not be able to read that format.
(Else we could immediately stop developping any filter for KWord, saying 
that for example AbiWord has enough filters.)

2. Documentation

The problem of any commercial file format is the documentation. The less 
documentation you have, the harder the task is!

3. Bloating

In KOffice, filters are separate dynamic libraries (as in MS Word). So 
there do not bloat KWord itself. However, as any libraries, they do take 
place on your harddisk!

4. Bug For Bug

Do not worry, KWord was and is still not planned as being a clone of MS 
Word. For example, KWord has a very different native file format.

Have a nice day/evening/night!

-----Original Message-----
From:	Jonathan Drews [SMTP:j.e.drews@worldnet.att.net]
Sent:	Friday, April 13, 2001 6:56 AM
To:	koffice@max.tat.physik.uni-tuebingen.de
Subject:	Import Filters

Hi:

 I have several questions about Import Filters on Kword (and Kspread).

1) Since Star Office can read M$ Docs do we really need them in Kword?

2) From this article here:
http://www.zdnet.com/enterprise/stories/main/0,10228,2707056,00.html
and from what the more experienced UNIX people tell me, M$ essential
"encrypts" it's documents. That way you have to use their Office suite. Is
importation a difficult task because of this encryption? Will it delay the
rollout of Koffice 1.1

3) Will Import filters for M$ docs make Kword bloated or unstable?

4) I am concerned as I saw a request for something called "fast saves" on 
the
KDE list.  My fear is that Koffice wil try to implement "bug for bug"
compatibility with M$.  This I believe is happening in GNOME, with it's
creation of GNU Visual Basic.

 I just want to know before I become too reliant on Koffice. I would really 
be upset if the virtues of speed and stability were sacrificed to achieve
conformance with some shifting M$ document paradigm.

--
						Cheers,
						Jonathan

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