OpenOSX Office - 2.0.0

What is the purpose of charging for free and open-source software that is already available in better packages for OS X?? Come on! This is like lip-synching MIlli Vanilli!

While I appreciate the fact that these folks are supposedly providing value-added service, support, and documentation for these tools, which is allowed under the GPL, I can't seem to shake the nagging feeling that this just isn't worth it, no matter what.

AbiWord is now available in a native Aqua version with no install routine, just a simple drag and drop.

Open Office has a relatively simple installer that doesn't require any compiling.

The GIMP comes in a precompiled version called Gimp.app which also doesn't require anything other than a drag and drop.

In addition, package management programs such as Fink and DarwinPorts now have GUIs, and they allow the easy compilation and/or installation of many X11 programs which previously would have been impossible for a newbie to handle.

It's getting to the point where as long as you have a broadband connection, getting these programs on CDs, however convenient, is no longer worth the money.

That is understandable to offset the costs and perhaps make a small profit for printing up a box, a burned CD, etc. - the local Apple Store carries this (but it isn't an up-to-date rev); you can also download OOOrg 1.1.2 for free.

Apparently NOT with this OpenOSX Office thingamabob.
And that's fine, that's the developers' right.

But considering the alternative, I'd recommend a "no" to this particular packaging/binary. Not from the screenshots I've seen, anyway.

It occurs to me that you all who complain about this company charging for packaging an office suite do not understand the word <b>free</b> very well. You mention that with GPL it was free as in "freedom" but not as in "free beer" but you obviously mean the latter.

Freedom in the sense of Richard Stallman, inverntor of the GPL, is also that a company can take source, compile it, package it with other free software, provide documentation and charge for all this as long as the make the source code available. YOU are free to do all that work yourself and pay nothing or make use of their offer.

They do not charge for the software but for their work! As does SuSE or RedHat!

Please keep in mind that GPL does not say anything in any paragraph that charging for work was not permitted. Please read it!


Servus

Alexander
PS.: I never used their package nor do I intend to do so. But I love freedom and I am willing to concede freedom to others!

i'm not familiar with either open office or openosx office.

what is the relationship between them ?

i've looked on the openoffice website, but openosx office isn't there

it looks good..
..but is it just *cough* borrowed *cough* technology [abiword] or a proper opensource-type project ?

i mean, $30 isn't much for an office suite..
..but it is, if they're just packaging freely available software and charging for it