Re: [libreoffice-users] Re: helping Users and LibreOffice - proposal

Hi :)

Pedro i have to disagree with one of your points although i almost entirely 
agree with the rest.  The 3.4.0 HAD to be released when it was even tho it 
wasn't ready (as we have seen from the jump in weird problems posted to the 
users list).  


Oracle were playing tactical games, rushing out their 1st release since their 
3.3.0 and calling it 3.4.0.  LibreOffice has had 2 clear releases since their 
3.3.0 (the 3.3.1 and the 3.3.2) and were working on the 3rd, due at the time to 
be called 3.3.4.  Some segments of the press were hailing LibreOffice as much 
faster developing than OOo because LO's 3.3.0 released the day before OOo's 
3.3.0.  BUT by calling their first release since then the "3.4.0" the public & 
media's perception would be that Oracle had leap-frogged over LO and regained 
the lead. (even tho it contained less work and less added functionality than the 
3.3.1 (or even than the LO 3.3.0!)).  


TDF showed that it was highly responsive, adaptable and crucially  NOT stupid 
about PR and dirty tricks by changing the name to 3.4.0 and releasing fast.  As 
a result Oracle have "caved in", realising they couldn't hope to compete against 
TDF.  


Oddly, despite several communications with them at all levels they didn't 
reailse they stood to gain a LOT from co-operating with TDF, including the 
highly profitable side of thing, paid corporate user-support (telephones, forums 
etc).  Hopefully the friendlier Apache Foundation or even TDF might be able to 
offer that level of support.  THere is plenty of room for co-operative 
competition in that area.  I think Oracle took everyone by surprise in caving-in 
so fast and i would be even more surprised if Oracle didn't try to thro 
something more damaging at TDF even now.  I suspect TDF Steering and Founders 
are prepared for it.

Just now we temporarily have to deal with the fall-out from the easy win.  Which 
is annoying but quite amusing at the same time.  

Regards from
Tom :)  





----- Original Message ----
> From: plino <pedlino@gmail.com>
> To: users@libreoffice.org
> Sent: Sat, 11 June, 2011 12:29:01
> Subject: [libreoffice-users] Re: helping Users and LibreOffice - proposal
>
> Hi Cour
> (none of the following criticisms are directed at you, who are one of  the
> few (only?) members of the SC who sees this project as a productivity  tool
> for the users)
>
> I don't know if you are aware that installing LibO  3.4.0 under Windows
> silently uninstalls 3.3 without asking (even if the  installer is run in
> customized mode). Therefore it is not possible to have  both versions
> installed under Windows. I know this is possible under Linux  but this
> project doesn't care a f*ck about Windows users (even though they  are the
> majority of users, but hey, who cares?) so one can only recommend  one
> version OR the other.
>
> Given the degree of regression and bugs  added (I totally agree with Tom that
> 3.4.0 "sounds more like a beta-release")  and that the developers are not too
> worried about regressions, in my opinion  if someone is using 3.3.2 for work
> (and believe me: even if the LO site has a  disclaimer about 3.4 being
> experimental, all other download sites/mirrors  don't, so expect a LOT of
> angry users in the near future) I will not  recommend 3.4 for anything other
> than playing around.
>
> In my opinion,  releasing 3.4.0 as Stable was a major error and a shot on the
> foot for this  project.
>
> But the all-mighty Release Schedule as to be met, no matter what  comes out
> of it...
>
> Regards,
> Pedro
>
> --
> View this message in  context: 
> http://nabble.documentfoundation.org/helping-Users-and-LibreOffice-proposal-tp3051441p3052293.html
>
> Sent  from the Users mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
>
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