[Fsfe-uk] AbiWord

[John Seago]

I have used AbiWord up to, now to read and print Microsoft Word documents, 
I, going by its home page, took it that having translated FROM Microsoft 
Word, it would do the reverse, see the following from its home page: 

"What Makes AbiWord Different?

AbiWord is unique among word processors in its drive to become a fully 
cross-platform word processor. Our source code is carefully written so 
that AbiWord will run on virtually any operating system with a minimum of 
time spent on porting. This combined with our support for 
internationalization (the ability to run AbiWord in many languages) gives 
AbiWord a massive potential user-base.

Currently we run on most UNIX systems, Windows 95 and later, QNX Neutrino 
6.2. We also have a MacOS X native port in the way (you can still use the 
UNIX version on MacOS X if you want). There used to be a BeOS port, but 
that version has been gone unmaitained for too long to consider it as 
still alive; we dreamt that it was any different, so if you want to help, 
feel free to contact us."

Obviously it does not. My using it with the intention that it should do so 
is a mattter of my ignorance of its workings particularly as the above 
paragraph states "Windows 95 and later". To refer to those who are 
ignorant of a given matter, as stupid, given the richness and flexibility 
of the English language is not only lazy but, insulting, and in the case 
where it was applied to me, I consider it deliberately so. I doubt that 
Chris Croughton, would call me stupid were we face to face, (here I am 
assuming a normal level of good manners), and will happily accept an 
apology. 

As is noted above it is stated that AbiWord, and I took it, its documents, 
could be used by "Windows 95 and later", hence my request as to who to 
complain to, that a governmental department could not read a document that 
can read "Windows" documents.

For  Alex Young  and Chris  Croughton to adopt a rebarbative tone when 
replying, whilst others took the trouble to explain why I was wrong in my 
assumptions, only serves to highlight their differing attitudes to those 
others who proved so helpful, personally, in this matter. Some surprise 
with their unselfish helpfulness, to those may I extend my thanks
-- 
John Seago
GNU/Linux User #219566 http://counter.li.org
AFFS http://www.affs.org.uk/