<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> <html> <head> <meta content="text/html;charset=ISO-8859-1" http-equiv="Content-Type"> </head> <body bgcolor="#ffffff" text="#000000"> That was also true of MS Office. But schools bought it anyway. I know, I was in school watching them buy it and install it on our computer labs (no textbooks, no classes on it, etc.). You were just expected to "pick it up." And even that's not true regarding OpenOffice.org. There are quite a few books on OO.o. One of the better ones is by Solveig "Ms. OpenOffice" Haugland, called The OpenOffice.org 2 Guidebook. <a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://openoffice.blogs.com/about.html">http://openoffice.blogs.com/about.html</a> So, that "textbook" excuse is just that, an excuse. And it's incorrect. --TP <div class="moz-signature">_______________________________ Do you <a href="http://www.gnu.org">GNU</a>? <a href="http://www.cmosnetworks.com">Microsoft Free since 2003</a>--the ultimate antivirus protection! </div> Mel Wade wrote: <blockquote cite="mid:43080f460902210921j6fa64d6dx7d546db9e5247770@mail.gmail.com" type="cite">To me the biggest downside of OO is the lack of textbook support. I know there are one or two out there, but not developed to the point of what is available for MS Office. <div class="gmail_quote">On Sat, Feb 21, 2009 at 7:40 AM, Barry R Cisna <<a moz-do-not-send="true" href="mailto:brcisna@eazylivin.net">brcisna@eazylivin.net</a>> wrote: <blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">Hi Alan, This is always an ongoing struggle,as has been discussed here several times before. I do not have any good links to compare OOo to M$ Off in a school setting.You are on the right track though. I have pitched OOo here to the powers that be. Bottom line I try and tell them ' what are the disadvantages of OOo"? One big selling point to me is the fact that any format of OOo that is used can be transparently saved as a PDF that gives a more finished/professional look right out of the box.Its not rocket science for say the secretaries, or anyone for that matter to do this. If nothing else OOo is worth more than M$Off in this regard. I have found that without a doubt people that has been in teaching 'are set in their ways' ,period! You are asking the world for them to step out of their comfort zone,even if something as menial as what we are discussing here. Second downfall is that the higher ups are impressed,,when things cost lots of money versus free.Never could figure that one out,other than they are pretty simple minded:(. Example: We have to have M$Off+ $$ for licenses,then we buy Adobe CS3 or whatever the topend bulk package is for major $$$$ ++ so much for license for this as well to be able to convert MS docs to pdf's. Really impressive? Does it make you wonder why all state agencies across the country continually operate in the red,,,except for the state of North Dakota> Maybe they are a little too practical! OK I m done b___ch___. Take Care Barry Cisna <div> <div class="Wj3C7c"> _______________________________________________ K12OSN mailing list <a moz-do-not-send="true" href="mailto:K12OSN@redhat.com">K12OSN@redhat.com</a> <a moz-do-not-send="true" href="https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/k12osn" target="_blank">https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/k12osn</a> For more info see <<a moz-do-not-send="true" href="http://www.k12os.org" target="_blank">http://www.k12os.org</a>> </div> </div> </blockquote> </div> -- Mel Wade "A common mistake people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools." - Douglas Adams <a moz-do-not-send="true" href="http://www.melwade.com">http://www.melwade.com</a> <pre wrap=""> <hr size="4" width="90%"> _______________________________________________ K12OSN mailing list <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:K12OSN@redhat.com">K12OSN@redhat.com</a> <a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/k12osn">https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/k12osn</a> For more info see <a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="http://www.k12os.org"><http://www.k12os.org></a></pre> </blockquote> </body> </html>