Re: [libreoffice-marketing] About Microsoft Office for Linux strong rumours and LibreOffice: What to fear about it?

On 02/12/2013 10:20 AM, timofonic timofonic wrote:
> Hello.
>
> As some of you probably know, there are rumours about Microsoft
> porting Microsoft Office to Linux. While this may not happen, there's
> the possibility this can someday happen.
>
> What about if it happens? What are the advantages of LibreOffice vs
> Microsoft Office? Despite being Free Software and at no cost (that's
> relative, you would still require some customer support too), I wonder
> about the rest of advantages LibreOffice have and if the weak points
> are relevant to certain organizations (NGOs, companies, government
> institutions...).
>
> Regards.
I do not if the rumors are valid. I have seen conflicting reports.

If MS does release a Linux version of MSO it would probably affect Linux 
more than LO. Linux distros would probably still include LO, AOO, or 
Calligra. But many Windows users could convert to Linux because they 
have MSO available for a fee of course. This would more likely hurt MS 
Windows if done.

IMHO LO and FOSS in general have many advantages that make it attractive 
to many users not just the "geeks". Also, as many governments move away 
from MSO they will using ODF formats which means if MSO can not properly 
open ODF formats they force users to have LO installed side by side with 
MSO.

With Steam rolling a Linux platform there are indications that Linux is 
reaching a critical mass that combined with MS mistakes (Windows 8) that 
offering Linux versions makes business sense. This has to concern MS. 
Also, every major organization (e.g. Munich) that moves to Linux is a 
closed to basically all MS software.

If MS views Windows as shrinking market and there numerous reasons why 
this may be true then offering their other software on non-Windows 
platforms makes sense. If they ignore too much of the overall market 
then they risk becoming irrelevant in the future.

I would not worry to much about MS because LO is successful on all 
platforms and is entrenched with Linux distros.

--
Jay Lozier
jslozier@gmail.com


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