Merge LibreOffice and OpenOffice! Time is up!

Merge LibreOffice and OpenOffice! Time is up!
GuideLet's talk about OpenOffice first. You may have seen that Apache OpenOffice is coming to an end countless times. The last stable version was 4.1.2 (released on July 22, October 2015), and a recent serious security vulnerability was patched for a month. The lack of coding personnel makes development like crawling forward. Then, probably the worst message: This project recommends that users switch to MS Office (or LibreOffice ).

Who is the funeral? The dead bell rings for you, OpenOffice. I want to say something that may annoy some people. Are you ready? The termination of OpenOffice is a good thing for both the source and the user.

Let me explain it.

One branch rules all

When LibreOffice comes out of the OpenOffice branch, we can see another situation: the branch not only improves on the original basis, but also greatly surpasses it. LibreOffice succeeded. All the Linux releases pre-installed with OpenOffice have been migrated to this new project. LibreOffice suddenly rushed out of the starting line and took a big step quickly. Updates are released at an extremely fast speed, improving the richness and importance of content.

Soon after, OpenOffice was left behind by the open-source community. This naturally deteriorates when Oracle decided to terminate the project in 2011 and donate code to the Apache project. Since then, the OpenOffice has struggled, and we have seen the current situation: a vibrant LibreOffice and a difficult and slow OpenOffice.

But I think there is a glimmer of light at the end of this rather dark tunnel.

Merge them

This may sound crazy, but I think it's time to combine LibreOffice and OpenOffice. Yes, I know it is likely to have political considerations and self-esteem, but I think it would be better to merge into one. Merging has many advantages. The first thing I can think of is:

1. Integrate MS Office filters: OpenOffice is very powerful in better importing some MS Office files (while LibreOffice is well known to be being improved, but always bad)
2. LibreOffice has more developers: although the number of OpenOffice developers is small, it will undoubtedly be added to the merged project.
3. End chaos: many users think that OpenOffice and LibreOffice are the same thing. Some do not even know that LibreOffice exists. This will end those chaos.
4. Merge their users: OpenOffice and LibreOffice each have a large number of users. After cooperation, they will be a huge force.

Valuable opportunities

The termination of OpenOffice will actually become a valuable opportunity for the entire open-source office suite industry. Why? I want to show that some things have taken a long time. If OpenOffice and LibreOffice concentrate on their strength, compare their code and merge them, then they can do more necessary improvements, not only the overall internal work, but also the interface.

We have to face the reality that the LibreOffice and (related) OpenOffice user interfaces are outdated. When I install LibreOffice 5.2.1.2, the toolbar is definitely a disaster (see ).

LibreOffice default toolbar display

Although I support and care about LibreOffice (and use it daily), it is clear that the interface needs to be completely rewritten. We are using the retro interface at the end of 1990s/early 2000. It must be changed. When new users open LibreOffice for the first time, they will be drowned in a large number of buttons, icons, and toolbar. Head up Display (HUD) of Ubuntu Unity helps solve this problem, but it does not apply to other desktops and releases. Of course, experienced users know where to find something (or even customize the toolbar to meet special needs), but it is a nightmare for new users or common users. Now is a good time to make changes. Introduce the remaining developers of OpenOffice and add them to the battle to improve the interface. By integrating the additional import filters and modern interfaces of OpenOffice, LibreOffice can generate a sensation in both home and office desktops.

Will this happen?

This must happen. But will it happen? I don't know. However, even if the leader decides that the user interface does not need to be restructured (this would be a mistake), merging OpenOffice is still a major step forward. The combination of the two will bring more focus on development, better promotion, and less public confusion.

I know this may seem to be contrary to the core spirit of open source, but the combination of LibreOffice and OpenOffice will be able to combine the power of both, and may be able to get rid of weaknesses. In my opinion, this is a win-win situation.

From: https://linux.cn: 443/article-7812-1.html

Address: http://www.linuxprobe.com/merge-libreoffice-openoffice.html