文档基金会希望 Apache 放弃陷入困境的 OpenOffice，转而支持 LibreOffice
OpenOffice LibreOffice
对于 Linux 用户来说，当我们想到[微软 Office 的开源替代品](https://itsfoss.com/best-free-open-source-alternatives-microsoft-office/)时，Apache OpenOffice 仍然是一个相关的推荐，这是不言而喻的。然而，在过去的几年里，OpenOffice 的发展几乎是停滞的。


当然，考虑到 Abhishek 早在 2016 年就写过 [Apache OpenOffice 关闭的可能性](https://itsfoss.com/openoffice-shutdown/)，这并不令人震惊。


现在，在一封[文档基金会的公开信](https://blog.documentfoundation.org/blog/2020/10/12/open-letter-to-apache-openoffice/)中，他们呼吁 Apache OpenOffice 推荐用户开始使用更好的替代品，比如 LibreOffice。在本文中，我将提到文档基金会的博文中的一些重点，以及它对 Apache OpenOffice 的意义。


![](/data/attachment/album/202011/01/100708mfi6x8jcklvi5lzu.png)


### Apache OpenOffice 是历史，LibreOffice 是未来？


尽管我当年没有使用过 OpenOffice，但可以肯定地说，它绝对不是微软 Office 的现代开源替代品。至少现在不是了。


是的，Apache OpenOffice 对于传统用户来说仍然是很重要的东西，在几年前是一个很好的替代品。


以下是 OpenOffice 和 LibreOffice 的主要发布时间线：


![](/data/attachment/album/202011/01/100711xajhhajhejnskh48.jpg)


现在 OpenOffice 已经没有重大的开发了，Apache OpenOffice 的未来是什么？一个相当活跃的项目，这个最大的开源基金会会不发布重大版本？


这听起来并不乐观，而这正是文档基金会在他们的公开信中所强调的：



> 
> OpenOffice（.org），是 LibreOffice 的”父项目“，它是一个伟大的办公套件，它改变了世界。它有着引人入胜的历史，但**自从 2014 年以来，Apache OpenOffice （它现在的家）还没有一个重大的版本**。没错，六年多来，没有重大的新功能或重大更新到来，也很少发布次要版本，而且在及时的安全更新方面也存在问题。
> 
> 
> 


对于一个普通用户来说，如果他们不知道 [LibreOffice](https://itsfoss.com/libreoffice-tips/)，我肯定希望他们知道。但是，Apache 基金会是否应该建议 OpenOffice 用户尝试使用 LibreOffice 来体验更好或更高级的办公套件呢？


我不知道，也许是，或者不是？



> 
> ...很多用户不知道 LibreOffice 的存在。OpenOffice 的品牌仍然如此强大，尽管该软件已经有六年多没有重大的版本发布，而且几乎没有人开发或支持它。
> 
> 
> 


正如在公开信中提到的，文档基金会强调了 LibreOffice 相对于 OpenOffice的 优势/改进，并呼吁 Apache OpenOffice 开始推荐他们的用户尝试更好的东西（即 LibreOffice）：



> 
> 我们呼吁 Apache OpenOffice 做正确的事情。我们的目标应该是**把强大的、最新的、维护良好的生产力工具送到尽可能多的人手中**。让我们一起努力吧！
> 
> 
> 


### Apache OpenOffice 应该做什么？


如果 OpenOffice 能完成工作，用户可能不需要努力寻找替代品。那么，因为他们的缓慢开发而呼唤另一个项目，建议用户采用未来工具并推荐它是一个好主意么？


在争论中，有人可能会说，如果你已经完成了你的目标，并且对改进 OpenOffice 没有兴趣，那么推广你的竞争对手才是公平的。而且，这并没有错，开源社区应该一直合作，以确保新用户得到最好的选择。


从另一个侧面来看，我们可以说，文档基金会对于 OpenOffice 到了 2020 年即使没有任何重大改进却仍然有重要意义感到沮丧。


我不会去评判，但当我看了这封公开信时，这些矛盾的想法就浮现在我的脑海里。


### 你认为是时候把 OpenOffice 搁置起来，依靠 LibreOffice 了吗？


即使 LibreOffice 似乎是一个更优越的选择，并且绝对值得关注，你认为应该怎么做？Apache 是否应该停止 OpenOffice，并将用户重定向到 LibreOffice？


欢迎你的意见。




---


via: <https://itsfoss.com/libreoffice-letter-openoffice/>


作者：[Ankush Das](https://itsfoss.com/author/ankush/) 选题：[lujun9972](https://github.com/lujun9972) 译者：[geekpi](https://github.com/geekpi) 校对：[wxy](https://github.com/wxy)


本文由 [LCTT](https://github.com/LCTT/TranslateProject) 原创编译，[Linux中国](https://linux.cn/) 荣誉推出


OK
It is a no-brainer that Apache OpenOffice is still a relevant recommendation when we think about [open source alternatives to Microsoft Office](https://itsfoss.com/best-free-open-source-alternatives-microsoft-office/) for Linux users. However, for the past several years, the development of OpenOffice is pretty much stale.

Of course, it is not a shocker, considering Abhishek wrote about the [possibility of Apache OpenOffice shutting down](https://itsfoss.com/openoffice-shutdown/) back in 2016.

Now, in an [open letter from The Document Foundation](https://blog.documentfoundation.org/blog/2020/10/12/open-letter-to-apache-openoffice/), they appeal Apache OpenOffice to recommend users to start using better alternatives like LibreOffice. In this article, I shall mention some highlights from the blog post by The Document Foundation and what it means to Apache OpenOffice.

![LibreOffice OpenOffice](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/wordpress/2020/10/libre-office-open-office.png)

## Apache OpenOffice is History, LibreOffice is the Future?

Even though I didn’t use OpenOffice back in the day, it is safe to say that it is definitely not a modern open-source alternative to Microsoft Office. Not anymore, at least.

Yes, Apache OpenOffice is still something important for legacy users and was a great alternative a few years back.

Here’s the timeline of major releases for OpenOffice and LibreOffice:

![Libre Office Open Office Derivatives](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/wordpress/2020/10/libre-office-open-office-derivatives-800x166.jpg)

Now that there’s no significant development taking place for OpenOffice, what’s the future of Apache OpenOffice? A fairly active project with no major releases by the largest open source foundation?

It does not sound promising and that is exactly what The Document Foundation highlights in their open letter:

OpenOffice(.org) – the “father project” of LibreOffice – was a great office suite, and changed the world. It has a fascinating history, but

since 2014, Apache OpenOffice (its current home) hasn’t had a single major release. That’s right – no significant new features or major updates have arrived in over six years. Very few minor releases have been made, and there have been issues with timely security updates too.

For an average user, if they don’t know about [LibreOffice](https://itsfoss.com/libreoffice-tips/), I would definitely want them to know. But, should the Apache Foundation suggest OpenOffice users to try LibreOffice to experience a better or advanced office suite?

I don’t know, maybe yes, or no?

…many users don’t know that LibreOffice exists. The OpenOffice brand is still so strong, even though the software hasn’t had a significant release for over six years, and is barely being developed or supported


As mentioned in the open letter, The Document Foundation highlights the advantages/improvements of LibreOffice over OpenOffice and appeals to Apache OpenOffice that they start recommending their users to try something better (i.e. LibreOffice):

We appeal to Apache OpenOffice to do the right thing. Our goal should be to

get powerful, up-to-date and well-maintained productivity tools into the hands of as many people as possible. Let’s work together on that!

## What Should Apache OpenOffice Do?

If OpenOffice does the work, users may not need the effort to look for alternatives. So, is it a good idea to call out another project about their slow development and suggest them to embrace the future tools and recommend them instead?

In an argument, one might say it is only fair to promote your competition if you’re done and have no interest in improving OpenOffice. And, there’s nothing wrong in that, the open-source community should always work together to ensure that new users get the best options available.

On another side, one might say that The Document Foundation is frustrated about OpenOffice still being something relevant in 2020, even without any significant improvements.

I won’t judge, but I think these conflicting thoughts come to my mind when I take a look at the open letter.

## Do you think it is time to put OpenOffice to rest and rely on LibreOffice?

Even though LibreOffice seems to be a superior choice and definitely deserves the limelight, what do you think should be done? Should Apache discontinue OpenOffice and redirect users to LibreOffice?

Your opinion is welcome.