NeoOffice 2.0 Alpha 3 Released 96
ndansmith writes "NeoOffice, the port of OpenOffice.org to Mac OS X, has made their 2.0 Alpha 3 release available for download. From NeoOffice's site: 'This release is based on the OpenOffice.org 2.0.2 code and includes all of the new OpenOffice.org 2.0.2 features,' including the utilization of Open Document formats. Currently only the PowerPC version of the software is available publicly, but users can download the Intel version by purchasing a membership."
really? (Score:4, Insightful)
Alpha, but usable (Score:3, Insightful)
Speed increase? (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Intel binaries (Score:5, Insightful)
If you don't want to support the project, that's your choice, but recommending ways to circumvent their request for donations (for the alpha alone, no less) makes you look greedy, and is precisely why the main developer may not be able to continue development full-time if he can't afford to. I pay the linux distributions I use and like to show my support, and I fund open source projects I use frequently with donations of anywhere from $25-$50 to help them out, considering all they do for us.
Free as in Fiction (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Just use the X11 Build, avoid NeoOffice (Score:4, Insightful)
* The X11 version of OpenOffice requires Apple X11 to be installed before it will launch. The install isn't horrible, but it is still far more difficult than the "drag and drop" installers that Apple users have come to expect.
* The launch time and overall performance of X11 OpenOffice is horrible compared to a native Macintosh app.
* Compared to a native Mac application, the X11 OpenOffice interface looks like crap and the integration with other applications leaves a lot to be desired.
Honestly, X11 OpenOffice isn't up to the standards that most people expect from well polished Apple software. It's not like F/OSS isn't up to the challenge, either... Just look at Firefox for the Mac.
Re:Free as in Fiction (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Free as in Fiction (Score:2, Insightful)
If the developers are strapped for cash and need "donations" they should just ask for them instead of charging for their "free software". People are upset not because they are ungrateful and selfish, but because the developers, as contributors to FOSS and GPL code, have a moral obligation to uphold the principles of the community and are failing to do so. The developers are violating, if not the letter of the GPL, at least the spirit of the GPL, and so deserve any ill-will directed toward them. If they don't want to play the game then they should not participate, no matter how much time, effort, and money they have contributed to benefit the community.
We are perfectly capable of being grateful for their contribution while simultaneously censuring them for their moral failures.
Re:Free as in Fiction (Score:2, Insightful)
Well, you can compile your own binary from the (always was, still is, always will be) freely available NeoOffice source code - the intel code is there right now, go for it. You don't want to do that? What are your options?
Well, if you can bear to wait a couple more weeks you can download a binary for free from the developers.
And why is it there in the first place? Because people have made sufficient financial contribution to make it actually possible for the 2 guys to spend 60-70 hours a week between them making the code work for you. You don't want to wait that long? What are your options?
well, you can pay $25 for a binary compiled on your behalf, thus along the way helping to make it possible in the future for there to actually be a beta release with better functionality, aquafied widgets and all that, and eventually a full release of the app.
These are all options. They're all GPL-friendly. It's completely your choice whether you compile now, make a financial contribution now, or bear a 2-4 week wait for something that wouldn't be there at all without some people's financial contributions. The developers tried 'voluntary donations' and it didn't work, that's the reality. This way, NeoOffice v2 for PPC and intel exists right now, that's the reality. Waah, waah, it's not fair, they're not playing by the rules... you want NeoOffice or not?