The Parliament said: ODF only

Today the Danish Parliament said ODF only for public administration. The Minister of Science doesn't agree, so he will ask the Minister of Finance for advice. The Government is afraid that the decision will be too expensive.

The MP's warns the Minister: If you don't do it, we will ask for a formal ballot in the Parliament and the Minister will then lose.

http://translate.google.com/translate?js=y&prev=_t&hl=da&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.business.dk%2Fbrancher%2Fit-beslutning-saettes-paa-standby&sl=da&tl=en

Another municipallity chalenges Microsoft

City of Roedovre (Rødovre) is the next municipality in Denmark to challenge Microsoft on expensive software licenses.

From today, employees at the city hall will use OpenOffice.org in conjunction with their case- and document handling system.

http://translate.google.com/translate?prev=hp&hl=da&js=y&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.business.dk%2Farticle%2F20091109%2Ftechmobil%2F91108011%2F&sl=da&tl=en&history_state0=

100,000,000 downloads

On October 28th. 2009, the one hundred millionth person clicked on the Download OpenOffice.org button since version 3.0 of the software was announced just over one year ago.

www.openoffice.org

November 2009 Newsletter

Newsletter November (Danish) is out: http://bit.ly/3H4Txw. Read about 100 mio. downloads and a nine year old girl. There is also something about OpenOffice.

Is Twitter dying?

I am using Twitter.
As many other active members of the communities, I'm using Twitter. I don't tweet much, but I feel it very useful to be able to follow activities in the communities.

But are we getting too dependent on Twitter?

YES!

Twitter should not be a service but a protocol.

When Twitter is ill, we are more and more aware of our dependency.

More Danish municipalities under way

Just to let you know, we are experiencing a very important breakthrough in the municipalities right now.

City of Gribskov has been using OpenOffice for a few years.

City of Tønder has been using OpenOffice in schools for about a year.

City of Lyngby-Taarbæk has decided to use OpenOffice in schools. According to the local newspaper this is only the first step towards a compete change from MS to OpenOffice in the administration as well. A few translated articles on my earlier post here: http://lodahl.blogspot.com/2009/10/mayor-says-it-is-fully-comparable-with.html. Even the Mayor is happy ;-)

Another city close to Copenhagen is about to implement a new version of a Case- and Document Handling System, that integrates OpenOffice into it. From then, more than 90% of new documents will be produced with OpenOffice. Expected to be implemented beginning of November this year. (I will talk
about this case at OOoCon this year).

Besides this, I expect that at least a few more cities will follow this trend in the very near future.

Microsoft reactions:
Microsoft is cutting down the price for Office. Poor guys. The only reaction they can think of at the moment is telling FUD and lies about OpenOffice.org - about how OpenOffice is so old fashioned and
lacks functionality. We are trying to revert the discussion back against MS claiming that what they call old fashion is what people call a good and robust UI.

The mayor says: It is fully comparable with commercial systems!

When OpenOffice became operational last Wednesday ,the mayor Rolf Aagaard-Svendsen (K) was happy with the prospect of reducing the cost of software. Rolf Aagaard-Svendsen said:

There are many advantages to this. Among other things, it's free. The system is fully comparable with commercial systems

English translation of newspaper article:
http://translate.google.com/translate?prev=hp&hl=da&js=y&u=http%3A%2F%2Flyngby-taarbaek.lokalavisen.dk%2Farticle%2F20091005%2FARTIKLER%2F710069782&sl=da&tl=en&history_state0=&swap=1

Eventually it is the plan that the municipal administration will switch from Microsoft Office with OpenOffice.

English translation of newspaper article: http://translate.google.com/translate?prev=hp&hl=da&js=y&u=http%3A%2F%2Flyngby-taarbaek.lokalavisen.dk%2Farticle%2F20090930%2FARTIKLER%2F710019956&sl=da&tl=en&history_state0=&swap=1

Localization

Localizing a complex application like OpenOffice.org is much more than just translating the user interface.

The Danish community has for years been working on several strings: We must of cause keep up with translating the application. Right now we are in a working on translation of version 3.2. We have more than 73.000 strings at the moment. We would very much like to get the manuals from OOoAuthers translated too. Unfortunately we haven't been able to keep up with versions lately.

Language tools are very important to our development. A few years ago we took a big step against an improved spelling dictionary and we are still working on that. The thesaurus was released about one year ago and right now we are working on getting a more academic approach thus we are trying to get an existing research project from University of Copenhagen implemented as the future thesaurus in OpenOffice.org. The idea is to implement what is already existing instead of developing it our selves. That way we can concentrate on the important thing like initiate new improving projects.

The latest news is, that a few guys in the community has succeded to create a Danish prof of concept of the LanguageTool: Grammar checker!



We are looking forward to see the results of this work. At this moment we are talking about a testimplementation with only a few grammar rules. But it looks great so far!

Registration is open

The registration for the annual OOoCon is now open http://conference.services.openoffice.org/index.php/ooocon/2009/schedConf/registration.

Yet another city

Lyngby-Taarbaek switches to OpenOffice: Will prevent illegal downloading

All students and teachers in Lyngby-Taarbaek Municipality is now offered free office suite OpenOffice. It may be the same, and students are not tempted to illegal downloads of Microsoft Office, says the CIO.

Danish news (translated by Google): http://translate.google.com/translate?js=y&prev=_t&hl=da&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.version2.dk%2Fartikel%2F12299-lyngby-taarbaek-skifter-til-openoffice-vil-undgaa-ulovlig-download&sl=da&tl=en&history_state0=da%7Cen%7CLyngby-Taarb%25C3%25A6k%2520skifter%2520til%2520OpenOffice%253A%2520Vil%2520undg%25C3%25A5%2520ulovlig%2520download%250A%250AAlle%2520elever%2520og%2520l%25C3%25A6rere%2520i%2520Lyngby-Taarb%25C3%25A6k%2520Kommune%2520tilbydes%2520nu%2520den%2520gratis%2520kontorpakke%2520Openoffice.%2520Den%2520kan%2520det%2520samme%252C%2520og%2520eleverne%2520fristes%2520ikke%2520til%2520ulovlig%2520download%2520af%2520Microsoft%2520Office%252C%2520lyder%2520argumentet.%2520

OpenOffice.org Newsletter is out (Danish)

The Danish newsletter is published:
http://issuu.com/lodahl/docs/2009oktober?viewMode=presentation

Extension help content

I have created a few extensions over the last few years. Some of them even include help content to help the users. One problem is, that the XML syntax are rather dificult to figure out. Even a simple document with a few headers and some paragraphs are rather difficult to create.

It would be rather nice if there where an export filter for xhp-files. I have head that such filter exists but I have never found it.

Expired by this article an Linux Magazine by Dimtri Popov ( http://www.linux-magazine.com/Online/Blogs/Productivity-Sauce-Dmitri-s-open-source-blend-of-productive-computing/Format-Writer-Documents-with-Any-Markup ) I decided to try to make a macro to export a document to xhp. So far I got headers, paragraphs and links. There is still some work to do because tables and pictures.

Also the macro will mess up the original document. It would be nice if it only exported the content leaving the original text untouched.

Here is the macro:

REM ***** BASIC *****

Sub HelpContent
If not ThisComponent.hasLocation Then
MsgBox ("Save document befor export", 0 ,"Export to Help content")
stop
End If


MarkupHeadingsFunc("Text body", "", "")
MarkupHeadingsFunc("Heading 1", "", "")
MarkupHeadingsFunc("Heading 2", "", "")
MarkupHeadingsFunc("Heading 3", "", "")
MarkupTextFunc("CharWeight", com.sun.star.awt.FontWeight.BOLD, "&")
MarkupURLFunc

AddText
ExportTheThing

End Sub

Function MarkupHeadingsFunc (StyleName, StartTag, EndTag)
ThisDoc=ThisComponent
ThisText=ThisDoc.Text
ParaEnum=ThisText.createEnumeration
While ParaEnum.hasmoreElements
Para=ParaEnum.nextElement
PortionEnum = Para.createEnumeration
While PortionEnum.hasMoreElements
Portion=PortionEnum.nextElement
If Portion.paraStyleName = StyleName then
Portion.String = StartTag + Portion.String + EndTag
End if
Wend
Wend
End Function

Function MarkupTextFunc(SearchAttrName, SearchAttrValue, ReplaceStr)
Dim SearchAttributes(0) As New com.sun.star.beans.PropertyValue
ThisDoc=ThisComponent
SearchAttributes(0).Name=SearchAttrName
SearchAttributes(0).Value=SearchAttrValue
ReplaceObj=ThisDoc.createReplaceDescriptor
ReplaceObj.SearchRegularExpression=true
ReplaceObj.searchStyles=false
ReplaceObj.searchAll=true
ReplaceObj.SetSearchAttributes(SearchAttributes)
ReplaceObj.SearchString=".*"
ReplaceObj.ReplaceString=ReplaceStr
ThisDoc.replaceAll(ReplaceObj)
End Function

Sub MarkupURLFunc
ThisDoc=ThisComponent
ThisText=ThisDoc.Text
ParaEnum=ThisText.createEnumeration
While ParaEnum.hasmoreElements
Para=ParaEnum.nextElement
PortionEnum=Para.createEnumeration
While PortionEnum.hasMoreElements
Portion=PortionEnum.nextElement
If Portion.HyperlinkURL <> "" then
Portion.String = "" +Portion.String + ""
End if
Wend
Wend
End Sub

function SetFileName() as String


Dim oDoc
Dim sDocURL
If (Not GlobalScope.BasicLibraries.isLibraryLoaded("Tools")) Then
GlobalScope.BasicLibraries.LoadLibrary("Tools")
End If

sDocURL = ThisComponent.getURL()
Directory = DirectoryNameoutofPath(sDocURL, "/")
File_Name = FileNameoutofPath(sDocURL, "/")
New_File_name = ConvertFromUrl(Left(File_Name, Len(File_Name)-4))


SetFileName = ""
boInitialized = false

oListener = CreateUnoListener("MyPick01_", "com.sun.star.ui.dialogs.XFilePickerListener")
oFP = CreateUnoService( "com.sun.star.ui.dialogs.FilePicker" )
With oFP
.setMultiSelectionMode(False)

.Initialize( Array(com.sun.star.ui.dialogs.TemplateDescription.FILESAVE_SIMPLE) )
.appendFilter("Help content", "*.xhp" )
.setTitle( "Help content ..." )
.setDisplayDirectory(Directory)
.setDefaultName(New_File_Name & ".xhp")



If .execute() Then OpenFile = .Files(0)

.removeFilePickerListener(oListener)
.Dispose()
End With
SetFileName = OpenFile

If SetFileName = "" Then
Stop
End if


end function

sub AddText


Starttext= "" & CHR$(10) & "" & CHR$(10) & "" & CHR$(10) & "" & CHR$(10) & "" & CHR$(10) & "write filename here" & CHR$(10) & "" & CHR$(10) & "" & CHR$(10) & "" & CHR$(10) & "" & CHR$(10) & "xxx" & CHR$(10) & "xxx; yyy" & CHR$(10) & ""

EndText = CHR$(10) & "" & CHR$(10) & ""

Dim oText As Object
oText = ThisComponent.Text

REM Insert some simple text at the start
oText.insertString(oText.getStart(), StartText & CHR$(13), False)
REM Append a new paragraph at the end
oText.insertString(oText.getEnd(), EndText & CHR$(13), False)



end sub

sub ExportTheThing
FileName = SetFilename()


Dim args(0) as new com.sun.star.beans.PropertyValue
args(0).Name = "FilterName"
args(0).Value = "Text"
ThisComponent.storeToURL(FileName,args())


end sub

REM ***** END BASIC *****

Android - part II

I got my Android phone a few days ago; a HTC Hero from my regular tele provider: Telenor. They called me the day after I ordered it and said that I could pick it up the very next day.
The first thing I did, was to upgrade the firmware. To do that I had to be connected to a PC through the sync software. That is unfortunately a Windows application? Fortunately a have a dual boot pc at my job with Windows (paid and) installed, so I could upgrade the firmware.

I think it's a very nice phone and its very easy to change settings and so on and so forth. One of the first things i did, was to disable the automatic access to mobile internet connection. That kind of stuff is quite expensive here, so I would like to have completely control over that. Getting access to Wifi was easy. I normally use different Wifi connections and they are all set up. When I enter the office, I automatically go on line. Great.

The user interface is elegant but there are place for further improvements. How is is that I an use the touch screen for everything but closing the active window? Or am I just missing something?

Perhaps I need to read the instructions once more.

To navigate between the screens are very nice and its very easy to get around and find what I need. To start an application is just a cick, but how the f%¤# do I close an application again? I found out that I could download and install an application for that. Crazy that you need to have an application to be able to close other applications. Maybe I'm just misunderstanding the concept.

I tried to install a few applications from Android Market and I would like the list of applications to show a short summary fra the description. Some of the applications has quite mysterious names. Its very easy to install and uninstall applications.

The mail application is somehow strange. When I read mail, the mail content will not show national characters properly. Honestly I thought that problems with character encoding was so old school. The Google mail application is fine.

The Google stuff is great. Everybody is very impressed when I show the Google Live Street View.

And I have even tried to talk with someone. Do any of you remember the days, where phones was devices to use for telephone conversations?

Export to Freemind part III

I just uploaded a new version of the Export Freemind extension. Now you can export any document with any headings. The mindmap structure will be based on the documents outline numbering (Tools - Outline numbering).

If a level is missing (e.g. if Heading 1 - Heading 3 (no Heading 3) the missing level is replaced with a 'dummy' heading with a red color.

New version available at http://extensions.services.openoffice.org/project/Freemind

Feel free to comment and vote.

The Danish Competition Authority (report in English)

The Danish Competition Authority Recommends a Continued Use of all Open Standards for Office Software in the Public Sector

http://www.ks.dk/index.php?id=28728&L=1

My experience with Android - part I

I'm working together with a few other consultants on a joint project. Last week I was sitting in the office at customer and one of my co-workers said:

Hey Leif! You are always bragging about being that open source freak. Are you aware that you are the one with the less open sourced mobile?

I must admit that it was embarrassing. I - the open source freak - was using a traditional Nokia running Symbian. And he just bought a new Android phone: The HTC Hero.

I looked at it. I tried that Google application where you can look at Google Street View in 3D (if you turn around, you will automatically switch view direction). Useless gadgets off cause. Who needs that kind of overestimated rubbish.

Today I called my operator and asked about the price and conditions. She told me about I could have a similar phone (because I'm a very valued customer) for almost nothing. Okay then. Please ship it today, I said.

No no. You must go to one of our shops and buy it. Remember to change your subscription first - then you will get it for less. Thanks a lot. I'll go and buy it right away.

Off with the bus. Shift bus twice (no wonder why their phones are so cheep. Their shop is in the middle of nowhere). Okay now finally at the phone shopand I waited only 20 minutes before I could get to talk with one of the shop employees.

Okay - A business subscription - I need to call the business department - Hang on. Waited another 3 - 5 minutes.

Fine - we can change your subscription right away if you buy a new phone. YES! Thats the whole purpose of me beeing here for crying ou loud. I was getting a little irritaded. When all the computer registrations was done, he asked me what phone I would like to buy? Well I was thinking of a HTC Hero, I said.

Ohhhh. Thats ehhh - not good. have you seen the new Iphone by the way? HTC Hero is not on stock and we have no idea about hen we can get another delivery.

WHAT?

This is one of your top models. I talked to a sales woman in business department this afternoon. She send me here.

I guess you will have to wait for my evaluation until later. So far I can only look with envy towards my co-worker by the next table. I think I'll stick with Nokia for a while. At least until Telenor can get me a new phone.

Did I tell you, that I had to wait undtill the guy could undo all his registrations to my subscription?

Export to Freemind Part II

I have been working to improve the export to Freemind over the last few days.

Here are the new features:

Freemind structure is changed, so that top level is from document properties. I am using Title and Subject if available. Otherwise I just use the filename.

If one or more levels are missing, I will substitute with dummy levels that will be colored red in Freemind. That is to keep the strict structure.

Help content added.

Launching the file with Freemind if possible (For Windows and Linux only). That is if I can find the Freemind program.

Added status in statusbar

Fixed bugs:
Correct encoding of filename with spaces.
Problem with "" and & in headers
Pushing the Cancel button in Save file dialog results in an error.

You can download the extension here: http://extensions.services.openoffice.org/project/Freemind

Export from OpenOffice to Freemind

I just launched a new extension that exports the structure of headings in a text document to Freemind 0.8 format.




Quite nice if you need to get an overview of a large document.

Please help me test it.

http://extensions.services.openoffice.org/project/Freemind

Set data free!

In the public administration we can find thousands of small pieces of data that are maintained with one or more specific purposes. What if others (public authorities or private enterprise) could benefit from these data?

Why are these data not available to the public?

Probably because of old fashioned thinking. Minds are like parachutes - they work best when they open.

The National IT- and Tele Agency has just published an analysis in the form of a list of public databases http://digitaliser.dk/ressourcer?tabContainerResources=tabDatakildeResources# . More than 800 small pieces of information. Some of them are already public available but most of them are not.

The purpose of this project is to show that the data exists and who the owner is. This way we can put a pressure on the most important owners to set the data free.

So far I have identified a few interesting databases like a WordNet (Thesaurus) database and lots of interesting GEO data. And then of cause, the list of Results of the control of seed potato - highlights for breeding control in pre-breeding base in 2006 - 2007. Okay not all data are that interesting :-)

OpenOffice 3.1.1 released

Today Monday will be the day of OpenOffice.org 3.1.1. This is a bug-fix version and there are no actual new features this time.

Be aware of fraud websites that are offering OpenOffice.org for money. In best case you will be paying for something that is actually free - or worse - you (sorry, your computer) will get infected by virus or trojans.

OpenOffice.org is free. You can download it from www.openoffice.org or da.openoffice.org (danish version). You are asked to register as you have installed the product but OpenOffice will work no matter if you register or not.

Enjoy.

The expert panel will be called in again

After a few weeks of a rather hot debate on Danish Internet media regarding the final report from the National Authority of Competition, the decision was made this morning: The Parliament told the minister of IT and Technology to call in the expert panel again.

The case is not yet closed!

This is a very important victory for the open source community, because three reports has recommended dual standards. The members of Parliament didn't take these reports as a vote. The members has surely listened to the critics of the reports and will not make a final decision based on reports of varying quality.

English translation:
http://translate.google.com/translate?prev=hp&hl=da&js=y&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.version2.dk%2Fartikel%2F11939-ekspertpanel-skal-atter-se-paa-dokumentformater&sl=da&tl=en&history_state0=&swap=1

Wanted: Did you integrate OpenOffice in your business application?

One of the most common oppositions we hear from IT professionals and business managers against shifting away from Microsoft Office is this:

We cannot change away from MS because we are using MS Office in conjunction with this and that application

• How difficult is it to integrate OpenOffice or ODF in an existing business application?
• Do any of you have actual experience doing it?
• How can we exchange knowledge and experiences on this matter?

Please give me comments

There is no shortage of reports

The so called experts presented a few months ago, its report and the Competition Authority is expected to make its supplementary report in the autumn. CIO Innovation Forum came a short time ago with a report on Denmarks (missing?) ambitions and Norway has just published a so-called royal decree, which describes the technical formats that henceforth be used in Norway.

Wow.

What are we going to do with all the reports?

We may, among other compere the level of ambitions in the two countries Norway and Denmark. The Danish reports are typically written on the basis of previous reports, regardless of the reports drawn quality and therefore rarely controversial or significant conclusions in the reports. In essence, it is as if, on the intention is to ensure the status quo.

The Norwegian report is in contrast, very ambitious. Eg. , it is clear from the recent report from Norway that it is an indisputable fact that proprietary formats hinder competition. The fact that the Norwegian report entirely fails to discuss, it is a fact. In Denmark, however, we are only now beginning to explore (in a report), the proprietary formats hinder competition.

What causes this difference?

Norway has a long professional tradition of open source software. Eg. the Internet browser Opera is Norwegian developed and the widely used database program MySQL, was originally developed in Norway. Norway has built up over many years a widely accepted business model for open source software. There is room for companies to do business with both proprietary software and open source software.

In Denmark we do not have this tradition and open source software continues to have a street to be cheerful and frivolous. Her winning the argument ”it is a universally recognized standard and widely used” always ”it makes sense.”

The report I wish we see

There is a report which I would like to read.

It has not yet written and will probably never be written in Denmark. The title is: Open source software's long-term impact on the economy.

What will happen if we are in a country like Denmark has an ambition to generally use and develop open source software?

What impact will it have on the country and what impact it will have on the world community?

In the latest report from Norway argues for example; Ogg video format that has not as widely disseminated as such as .MP4. But now that Norway is beginning to use the ogg format, as recommended, the Norwegian quickly achieve high competence with ogg and will be able to set requirements for the future development of this video format. There will also probably be developed software for processing and playing ogg video.

Has this development not an impact on the choice of open standards and open source software? Unfortunately, I have not found the report.

Lorem Ipsum 1.6.0

I have handed over the Lorem Ipsum extension to Magenta ApS. I am still the one working with it, so no change there.

I have just uploaded a new version now with 22 languages: Turkish, Indonesian, Arab, Dutch (Netherlands), Dutch (Belgium), Portuguese, Russian, Hungarian, Japanese, Spanish, Czech, German, Serbian (Cyrillic), Serbian (Latin), Romanian, Norwegian bokmål, Italian, Polish, Swedish, French, English and Danish.

Also th problem that the extension writes to (and overwrites) the status bar is fixed. You can download it here: http://extensions.services.openoffice.org/project/Magenta_Lorem_ipsum_generator

Norway: ODF is in - OOXML is out

The Norwegian government has made a clear statement in a new catalog covering data standards of various purposes.

Public enterprises should not use other file formats than ODF (version 1.1) and PDF as attachment at the exchange of documents by email. This rule will apply from 1. January 2011.

The Danish government is still working on a similar decision. A report from the Danish competition authority has been delayed. Unfortunately I fear that the Danish government will make a non-decision as usually like: "Each authority may decide for them selves". This will end up in a chaos with at least four different document formats (OOXML, ODF, legacy .doc files and PDF).

Source: Digi.no http://www.digi.no/817635/her-er-statens-nye-it-standarder

Municipality saves 1 million per year

Michel van der Linden is head of IT in Municipality of Gribskov in Denmark. In this article he explains how the municipality changed from Microsoft Office to OpenOffice some years ago. Initially they saved about two million Danish Kroner and later one million per year.

http://translate.google.com/translate?prev=hp&hl=da&js=n&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.computerworld.dk%2Fart%2F51087&sl=da&tl=en

Michel will talk at the Danish OpenOffice conference in Odense on April 30th. http:/www.osl.dk.

One product that I dont want!

Microsoft is suffering during the financial crisis. Of cause. Who isn't. But now Microsoft is again looking around for new markets to take over. I honestly thought it was a joke when I first saw that Microsoft is working on software for cars.

I will turn in my drivers license if that happens.

Just think about what will happen if you press the “Close Windows” button? Will it close the cars windows or will it close....Windows?

Imagine that you are going to see your mothers house in the weekend. On the way, you need to make a left turn.

“Your 30 trial version of 'Left Turn' has expired. Would you like to buy 'Left Turn' now?”

YES YES YES give me 'Left Turn' software NOW.

“Downloading....”. “Please read the EULA carefully. Do you accept the terms and conditions?”

YES!

“This application consist of third party software. Please accept these third party terms and conditions. Do you accept the third party EULA?”

YES.

“Windows needs to be restarted after install of new software. Will restart in 15 14 21 4.3.2.1. Please wait while Windows is restarting....”

“The installed driver is corrupt. Please replace driver. “

“Please wait while Windows is restarting....”

“Doing consistency check on drive c:. Please wait 1%”

“Starting Windows”

"Restarting Windows"

Okay. Now you are on the way, but on the highway, you can see one truck ahead driving very slow so you want to reduce speed. You know; just in case.

“The application 'Brakes 2.03' is not compatible with your audio software. Would you like to search for compatible software?”

NO you don't have the time. You are trying to avoid an accident and you try to pass the truck without hiding it. You don't make it and crashes right into the truck.

Remember a 'crash' in the real world is a CRASH. Metal towards metal...terrible sound when that happens. I'm very happy that you have that wonderful airbag installed in your car. When you wake up again, you will see this message on the screen:

”Airbag ejection activated. Are you sure?”

If you see a guy on the highway on a bike – that me and it's running Linux!

Translating OpenOffice.org extensions

One very important feature in OpenOffice.org is the ability to extend the functionality of the program with extensions. Most public extensions can be found in the official extension repository here: http://extensions.services.openoffice.org/.

It is very important for the community, that as many extensions as possible are localized or translated into as many languages as possible. There is a tool for translation in the form of an extension. You can find it here: http://extensions.services.openoffice.org/project/extension-translator. When you have installed this extension, you can translate all other extensions that you have installed. You just have to remember to return the translated file to the original developer.

I though find this a little too technical.

I tried to find another way that makes it more easy for the end user to submit a translation. I own an extension called Lorem Ipsum Generator. You can find it here: http://extensions.services.openoffice.org/project/Lorem_ipsum_generator. And I would very much like it to be translated into more languages. I have created a Form on Google Docs, where you can fill in the translated strings and then submit it directly to me. You can find the form here: http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=cEhWWTVMUmRFdmpSR0NtQjVEM1FTUGc6MA..

The extension Lorem Ipsum Generator is so far in English, Danish and Italian. Please provide me with more translations.

Lorem Ipsum Generator now in italian

Thanks to Maurizio Salzano the extension is now also localized into italian.

http://extensions.services.openoffice.org/project/Lorem_ipsum_generator

Danish OpenOffice.org newsletter

Danish OpenOffice.org newsletter is out: http://doc.oooforum.dk/Nyhed/2009Marts.pdf

(Domestic) OpenOffice.org conference in Denmark

The organization OSL (http://www.osl.dk) is arranging this conference together with the Danish OpenOffice.org community.

The conference will be on April 30th. at University of Southern Denmark in Odense, Denmark.

We will try to cover the story with two tracks, Business and Technical.

Open Office - a real alternative
Conference in Odense 30/4-09:

Track 1: Business
9.00 - 10.00 Arrival, registration
10.00 - 10.05 Welcome v. Kurt Gammelgaard Nielsen, SDU (University of Southern Denmark)
10:05 - 10:45 Open Source in government - Barriers to implementation and use of Open Source in government v. Jens Kjellerup, IT manager, Århus Kommune (Municipality of Aarhus)
10.45 - 11.15 Business Case: - Implementation of OpenOffice in industrial v. Ørnbøl Bent Larsen, PKF-IT
11:15 - 11:25 Break
11:25 to 12:00 in 2500 even better users - Training of employees in connection with the switch to OpenOffice v. Jens Christian Damgaard, IT consultant Aarhus University Hospital Risskov
12.00 - 13.00 Lunch
13.00 - 13.35 An alternative office - what is required? - Consideration to make before a switch to OpenOffice
v. Leif Lohdahl, language coordinator, OpenOffice.org, Denmark
13.35 - 14.10 Open Office in Gribskov Kommune (Municipality of Gribskov) - A pragmatic solution based on economy and practicality v. Michel van der Linden, IT manager, Gribskov Kommune
14.10 - 14.30 Break
14.30 - 15.05 Virtual desktop in Open Office - Experience with virtual desktops in a VDI environment v. Kurt Gammelgaard Nielsen, konst. IT Director at University of Southern Denmark
15.05 - 15.15 Break
15.15 - 15.50 Keynote: Open Office - a real alternative v. Kim Østrup, Vice President, IBM

Track 2: Technical
9.00 - 10.00 Arrival, registration
10.00 - 10.05 Welcome
10:05 - 10:45 Open Source in government - Barriers to implementation and use of Open Source in government v. Jens Kjellerup, IT manager Århus Kommune
10:45 - 11:20 Standards Project in KL (association of Local Government in Denmark) and KMD (KMD is owned by Kommune Holding A/S which in turn is owned by KL) - Results and prospects v. Rolf Sorensen, Director, KMD, and Peter Thrane, Senior, KL
11:20 - 11:25 Break
11.25 - 12.00 IBM Lotus Symphony - IBM's version of Open Office, Speakers - t.b.c. (Symfoni Software )
12.00 - 13.00 Lunch
13.00 - 13.30 Writing Support in Open Office v. Speakers - t.b.c.
13.30 - 14.00 Migration from MS Office to Open Office in primary schools in Tønder v. Bo Ramsing, IT mentoring and Erik S. Kristensen, IT Adviser, Deputy & school, Tønder Municipality
14.00 - 14.05 Break
14.05 - 15.05 Open Office extensibility v. Jürgen Schmidt, lead developer, Sun Microsystems
15.05 - 15.15 Break
15.15 - 15.50 Keynote: Open Office - a real alternative v. Kim Ostrup, Vice President IBM

Sony's stupid piece of shit

I just love this one:

Mona Lisa

Pictures from Lotusphere 2009, Orlando

My pictures from Lotusphere 2009 can soon be found here : http://picasaweb.google.dk/leiflodahl/Lotusphere2009Orlando#

IBM and OpenOffice.org

I have been speaking to some of the guys working on getting Lotus Symphony launched and I must say I'm impressed. Just a little bit anyway. Symphony is still build on the old OpenOffice.org 1.1.3 but that is actually not the most important thing. The application has been enhanged dramatically and what you first find, is that extra pane to the right. The pane shows you tools that are relevant to what ever you are doing. Very much like the context sensitive right-click. The difference is, that the pane is there when you need it without having to call it.

Besides, Lotus Symphony can be extended with Eclipse plugins and soon you can write macros using Lotus Script. Lotus Script can be initiated from within Lotus Notes or from the Office application. And with access to the UNO api from Lotus Script, you can really get a long way.

Lotus Symphony can be used in composite applications and with that method, you can join data fra Lotus Notes, web pages etc. and wotk with data e.g. in a spreadsheet.

Some time ago, my advise to Lotus Notes customer was to use OpenOffice.org 3.0 for naw but wait and see about Lotus Symphony. I must say that this advise might fall soon. Lotus Notes user: Try Symphony. Its really a cool suite and you can taka advantage of some of the stuff right now, even if you are not on the brand new Lotus Notes 8.5. Lotus Symphony can be extended to wotk with data from older versions of Notes too.

Thanks

Thanks to all of you that has wished me happy birthday on my Facebook profile.

My first day af my first LotusPhere

Ok. Here I am.

LotusPhere 2009, Orlando, Florida!

This is my first LotusPhere and the first day (Business Development Day) is almost over. My impresison?

Perfect arrangement. Even considering that we are about one hour late and that the last slot is cancelled, I guess thats what to expect, when you gather all business partners on one spot. Transportation and logistics are perfect and the hotel facilities are working fine. The delay wwas caused by presentations that were too long.

I'm really looking forward to the upcomming days in the labs. I expect to see much more of Lotus Expeditor, Lotus Symphony and Lotus Sametime. Thats what I'm hooked up with. I don't think I get much time doing development stuff. There are five tracks, and I just have to jump my way though the most interesting things.

Its a wonderfull place here at the Swan and Dolphin resort. It's about 24 degrees celsius outside and the ait condition in the small rooms are not cappale of keeping up with the warm weather.

LotusPhere - Here I come

I've been looking forward to my trip to Orlando, Florida for months.

Tomorrow morning (early), I'll leave Copenhagen - going to Disney World and LotusPhere.

What will be my scope ?

First of all, I'll try to find as many sessions about Lotus Symphony as possible. I hope to see some examples with Lotus Symphony binded up with Lotus Notes as Composite. I really hope to see how to merge Notes data in spreadsheets/charts and text documents.

Also I will try to find further business opportunities in Lotus Sametime.

Social networking perhaps? If I get the time.