The Devs have crippled Openoffice.

[sidebrnz]

There's a very nice feature in Openoffice that allows for automatic correction of typos. That is, if you type teh, as soon as you hit the space bar, it will change to the. And, it's configurable, so that you can adjust it for your own typoing habits. Alas, you won't find it in the Fedora version because the devs have removed the module. Apparently, they've decided that Fedora users don't need or want it and that it's a waste of "valuable" disk space to include it and let us decide for ourselves.

If you're a poor typist, and need it, your only recourse is to remove every last bit of Openoffice, go to openoffice.org, download the appropriate rpms and reinstall. Of course, this cuts you out of the update/upgrade loop, so it's not without its cost.

If anybody knows what, if anything, the devs were thinking when they did this, I'd like to know. I'd also like to know if there's a way we can ask them to put it back and let us make up our own minds about what we want, but if the Fedora devs are anything like the Gnome ones, they'll only ignore anything we have to say.

[Dan]

I assume, of course, that you've already submitted a bug report/feature request over at the fedora project?

[sidebrnz]

I would if I thought there were any point to it. The third post here, http://user.services.openoffice.org/en/forum/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=21724 makes it pretty clear that it's probably pointless to complain.

[Nokia]

I would if I thought there were any point to it. The third post here, http://user.services.openoffice.org/en/forum/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=21724 makes it pretty clear that it's probably pointless to complain.

File the bug report and we'll subscribe to it ;)

[Dan]

Hmmm.

Just checked my mostly vanilla OOo 3.0.1 installed in F10, and Autocorrect is both there and fully functional.

[sidebrnz]

Now that's a thought. How many users subscribing does it take before the devs take us seriously? And, should it be a bug report or a feature request?

[Nokia]

Now that's a thought. How many users subscribing does it take before the devs take us seriously? And, should it be a bug report or a feature request?
Bug request IMO. Feature from original software manufacturer missing. Feature present in F10 missing. Make use of the two arguments. No matter it isn't shipped in the original CD/DVD release of F12, it can be addressed by a future update in the worst case scenario.

[John the train]

Hmmm.

Just checked my mostly vanilla OOo 3.0.1 installed in F10, and Autocorrect is both there and fully functional.

Likewise in 3.1.1 in my F11 install.

[sidebrnz]

Go to Tools->Autocorrect and click on the tab marked Options. Unless things have changed, there's no option there for automatic replacement. I'm not saying there's no Autocorrect, but that this function of it has been removed by the devs. This is on a fully-updated Fedora 10, running OO 3.0.1.

[Dan]

Ok. You are correct. That tab is not there.

[sidebrnz]

To be specific, there should be an option named "Use Replacement Table," and that's what the devs removed.

[Dan]

Bug filed.

[sidebrnz]

Thanx! I've added myself to the list and amplified on your report. Now, to get back to NaNoWriMo, and hope that I'm not too distracted by typo corrections.

[Wayne]

Ummm, I usually remove Fedora's (or other distros) "official" version of OpenOffice and download and install the "proper" version as a matter of course :D

[sidebrnz]

Well, that didn't take long. It's already closed as WONTFIX, with an explanation that doesn't explain anything.

[Nokia]

Yes it does. There are some IP issues that trigered the move in both RHEL and Fedora. Until - if ever- OpenOffice deals with it, the portion of code will be removed from both distros to avoid potential lawsuits.
That's what I get of it anyway.

[RahulSundaram]

Hi,

Yep, The code has potential patent issues, similar to say, the mp3 situation as I understand it. Nothing we can do about that except try to eradicate software patents

https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Software_Patents

[Dan]

... or just buy and install Star Office.

[JN4OldSchool]

Just do like Wayne suggests and install OO.o from their site. I will not fault Fedora for their stand on this. There are other distros out there which do not care if it is that much of an inconvenience.

[Silpheed2K]

... or just buy and install Star Office.

Or just use Lotus Symphony... I like Lotus Symphony...

http://symphony.lotus.com



As far as my views on intellectual property or patents... just remember folks, progress never happens with a bunch of people "walking the line"

[Dan]

Haven't tried Symphony yet. The beauty of SO is they regularly update without the need to completely re-install the dang thing. That and added functionality with more templates, clipart etc.

[sidebrnz]

Everything in Fedora must be free, as in speach, and I respect that. However, everything on *my* computer must be free, as in beer.

[Dan]

Well ... then methinks the old saying, "beggars can't be choosers," probably applies. You'll either have to do as Wayne suggests and install the native software, find a distro which is not quite so careful, or live with the decision of the fedora devs.

Two questions come immediately to mind. Maybe Rahul can answer them for us.

1) Is the CentOS OOo version also stripped of this function?

2) Has this functionality been returned in RHEL?

[scottro]

I can't answer the CentOS question because (scuffs foot while looking down on the ground), erm its version was rather old so I installed from openoffice.org's site.

[bbfuller]

I installed CentOS 5.4 the other evening, it has Open Office 2.3.0 in it.

The Automatic Replacement option is missing from the AutoCorrect options there as well.

[Dead1nside]

Just came across this whilst looking for some more general OpenOffice.Org help - wow that's a sucky situation. I hope software patents die a painful death, stifler of innovation that they are.

[RahulSundaram]

Well ... then methinks the old saying, "beggars can't be choosers," probably applies. You'll either have to do as Wayne suggests and install the native software, find a distro which is not quite so careful, or live with the decision of the fedora devs.

Two questions come immediately to mind. Maybe Rahul can answer them for us.

1) Is the CentOS OOo version also stripped of this function?

2) Has this functionality been returned in RHEL?

RHEL follows the Fedora packaging and legal guidelines with very few exceptions ( supplementary RHN Channel for instance). RHEL (and as a result CentOS and other rebuilds) will have the exact same result.

[bbfuller]

I read the analogy between the autocorrect options above and mp3 playback.

However, the components to enable mp3 are available in the rpmfusion repositories.

Is there any chance the autocorrect options could find their way there as well?

[RahulSundaram]

Hi,

I don't think the Openoffice.org extension system is capable of this. You will have to talk to someone more familiar with it however.

[bbfuller]

That's a pity, I suppose it would be too much to hope for the whole sub-part of Open Office that contains auto correct as an alternative in rpm fusion.

Never mind, I already run a small local repository for Opera, I can probably manage to add the full Open Office rpm to it.

Thanks for replying.