vea1083 wrote:Well at least that clears out some of the issue. As for acknak comments on the possibility of apache only taking care of the "core code" of OOo Rob Weir replied to my question whether OOo will continue to be released on Windows, Mac and Linux distribution, he stated that Apache plans to release Apache OpenOffice in all the current platforms as OOo. At least that's a good indication.
Well, that's good news. I had been seeing indications that TDF was losing interest in devoting equal resources to the Windows and Mac platforms, due to the commercial interests behind TDF focusing on Linux (not to mention the ideological affinities of many members). This development, if it materialized, risked to paradoxically alienate more than 90 percent of the user base.
Windows and Mac users, not only those using LibreOffice / OpenOffice but also the MS Office users concerned about price gouging from Microsoft made possible by lessened competition, can now breathe easier.
Also, my initial guess that Oracle had simply "parked" OpenOffice with the Apache Software Foundation (ASF) to save face, by not having to donate to TDF themselves, is turning out to be wrong. ASF is serious about taking on OpenOffice as an incubator proposal and has no intentions to serve as a figleaf or strawman. I am also very impressed by the poise of maturity of Greg Stein and Jim Jagielski, who do a good job of explaining what ASF is about and engaging with "the community".
This situation, with all its intrigue and drama, is a good opportunity to learn about open source and the raging egos
and commercial interests determining its course. For me, this discussion is not so much a case of "Chinese whispers" but an example of the parable of the blind men and the elephant. Each of us has only got hold of a tusk, a leg, or the trunk, but by pooling our impressions a clearer picture emerges.