there's been quite a discussion on the linux mailing list
at work about the porting of office to linux.  Here's an
excerpt from one:

> At 01:59 PM 12/12/2001 -0600, xxx wrote:
> 
> >Ah, a discussion. Should we bring win-admin into it? :) Just a few 
> >counterpoints, and I'll shut up (moving house today)
> >
> >1. With Office, MS controlled both the OS and the application layer, which 
> >is why they could "cause other competing products to crash or *break* on 
> >Windows" (of which I have knowledge one way or the other, btw). With Linux:
> >         a) Application programs run in user space, so all that can crash 
> > is the app, not the OS (unless you're suggesting that MS would put up an 
> > Alert Box "Because Linux is a loser, we're going to terminate this 
> > application and trash your data. Please upgrade to Office 2005 and Windows XP"
> 
> Okay maybe I'm paranoid at that point. They criticize Linux (GPL) as being 
> a "virus", but I think of THEM as being more virus-like.
> 
> >2. Why should they give anything away for free? The point of making them 
> >develop it is exactly so that people can say "hey, that Windows box will 
> >cost me $3.5K to get running. I can run Linux with Office on an old PC; 
> >startup cost $1K).
> 
> I don't expect them to--nor do I expect them to open the source code. I was 
> responding to your previous point, "What would they do? Give it away for 
> free? Big deal, so is StarOffice."
> 
> >3. I do hope that even with name recognition, someone would think twice 
> >before buying a $579 Office XP bundle (yes, that much, at bestbuy.com) 
> >versus a free StarOffice that didn't "take down their system"
> >
> >I've started using StarOffice 6.0, and will be posting a review in the 
> >near future.
> >
> >I think the entire point about forcing MS Office on Linux is to foster OS 
> >competition, which I believe is what we need. Would I pay $500 for a box 
> >running Linux with GNOME AND Office, instead of $3500 for Windows and 
> >Office? In a heartbeat. Would I pay $1000 for GNOME and StarOffice? Not 
> >yet, not today.
> 
> You might buy such a computer, but I'm willing to bet most users (including 
> business users won't). I think the only sales would come from those who 
> were already using Linux and wanted to use Office natively vs. an emulator. 
> There's still a fear factor using another OS.
> 
> It would be nice if a group could link up with an independent computer 
> manufacture and set up some computers at a demonstration kiosk in the mall 
> (ala Video professor) and let people play with them, that would pique their 
> interest. Most people have only heard rumors of what Linux is or is not. 
> They haven't even SEEN it (in many cases HEARD of it) much less played 
> around on it. Imagine their faces when they see all the software that comes 
> with it FREE! I know *I* was amazed.

Now ***HERE*** is an interesing idea.  Anybody have the time to manage
something like this?  During the christmas season, have a booth
at a mall or something...  Now *that* would be interesing...

> >If you want your users to switch to Linux, give them an incentive, as well 
> >as an easy upgrade path. I believe having Office on Linux(or a good enough 
> >product -- StarOffice with Office user-interface emulation is the best way 
> >I can put it) would convert my dad. And until someone can convert my dad, 
> >we can complain about MS all we want, and assert that all the smart people 
> >use Windows. And all for nothing.
> 
> Kiosk aside, actually I think that (unless your dad owns a business too) it 
> will be the business that needs to convert first. One of the reasons Joe 
> Blow first went out and bought a computer with Windows on it was because 
> that was what he used at work. If he used a Mac at work, he probably got 
> one of those for home. If people started using Linux at work (with or 
> without MS) I think they would want home computers that ran Linux too. 
> (especially when they stopped getting BSOD!)
> 
> <<  End forwarded message
 
 
rc  (from a slightly different email address due to spam on the primary...)