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deepmind.google·6d ago
AI Engineering
Lobsters·Jun 9·5 min read
An open letter to office suite users, just before the Euro-Office announcement
TL;DR
A misconception exists that Euro-Office is the first open-source office suite from Europe. In reality, OpenOffice.org and LibreOffice were developed earlier, promoting true Digital Sovereignty through open standards.
✦ Why It Matters
Engineers and researchers should prioritize genuine open-source tools to ensure user control and avoid vendor lock-in.
Key Takeaways
- Recognize the historical contributions of OpenOffice.org and LibreOffice.
- Support open-source initiatives that promote user control over content.
- Be cautious of misleading claims about new software products.
- Advocate for transparency in software development and standards.
Full Summary
The open letter addresses the misleading claim that Euro-Office is the first open-source office suite from Europe, clarifying that OpenOffice.org, launched in 2001, and LibreOffice, from 2010, were the pioneers. These suites are built on source code that originated in Europe and adhere to the open ISO/IEC ODF standard, which supports Digital Sovereignty by allowing users full control over their content.
The letter criticizes the lack of support for open-source initiatives in the past, particularly from those now advocating for Digital Sovereignty. It emphasizes the role of The Document Foundation and the LibreOffice community in maintaining and developing open-source office solutions despite challenges.
The authors argue that proprietary formats like Microsoft's OOXML hinder Digital Sovereignty by locking users into specific ecosystems. This situation underscores the need for transparency and genuine commitment to open-source principles in software development.