marypcbuk: (Default)
2010-09-13 08:43 pm

I don't only do Microsoft; OpenOffice 3.3

OpenOffice 3.3 gets a new look and some new features.

There's been a lot of controversy about the Renaissance project to develop a new user interface for OpenOffice.org, with some users thinking it will be too similar to Microsoft's ribbon interface (which has caused plenty of knee-jerk responses and a few just-jerk reactions too). Leaving aside copyright questions and discussions about the popularity or otherwise of ribbon interfaces, the apps in the OOo 3.3 beta have the traditional menus and toolbar interface rather than something radically different. However, icons have been redesigned and the menu and toolbars have a shaded, 3D look that's much more attractive than the old-fashioned look of previous versions.

OpenOffice 3.3 beta in pictures
marypcbuk: (Default)
2010-05-03 08:46 pm

On ZDNet: Video codecs, IP and the passive aggressive voice

Why did Steve Jobs use the passive to talk about the patent threat to Ogg and what does that ahve to do with HTML 5 and Flash?

Anyone who's worked on any title with me knows that I exchew the passive voice; the passive voice is to be avoided. Over on our ZD blog I enjoy dissecting an superb example of why it's not as clear as the active voice and when that can be an advantage.
marypcbuk: (Default)
2009-10-29 01:26 pm

Why Adobe likes open source

It's not for the obvious reason. "There is no ‘free’ in open source; there is no ‘free’ in free software - for Adobe, our expenses go up," says 'open source's undercover agent' Dave McAllister - better known as the Director of open source and standards for Adobe. Simon and I had the chance to chat with him at the Adobe MAX conference at the beginning of the month and you can read what he said to us over on The H.

He’s the man who brought open source to Silicon Graphics and NEC and advisor to Warburg Pincus on how to make money investing in open source. "At one point I got the title of open source's undercover agent," recalls Dave McAllister. He was recruited by Adobe as Director of open source and standards with a specific mission: "I was hired to, a) start an open source process and, b) get PDF approved as an ISO standard." So: mission accomplished?