is it illegal to write a program that could open/write to MS Word/Excel, etc... files ?

[dyqith]

just asking,
it would be so neat if i don't have to pay hundreds of dollars for software just to write an essay/open an essay to be corrected.

 

[DeeK]

It isn't illegal. It's just difficult, since Microsoft keeps the specs secret. That's the entire reason why Office holds such a huge market share - nothing else can reliably read/write .DOC, .XLS, .PPT, and so on.

 

[DefRef]

Oh, that's total BULL!!!:|

Go to Star Office and download their FREE office suite! From the FAQ page:

3. I like Microsoft Office -- why should I move to StarOffice 5.2 software?

StarOffice 5.2 software is a full-featured, cross-platform, interoperable, and cost-effective office productivity suite. Office productivity software is part of the computing landscape, like e-mail and calendars. Just as these applications are now available for free, Sun is making StarOffice 5.2 software available for free. It's the optimum solution for enterprises, small businesses, and home users who need access to a full-featured office productivity suite.

4.File compatibility is critical. Does the StarOffice 5.2 suite make it easy to exchange files with Microsoft Office?

Yes. The StarOffice suite includes an import/export feature that provides seamless interoperability with Microsoft Office. You can easily open and edit existing Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files in StarOffice suite. You can also save your StarOffice documents, spreadsheets, and presentations as Microsoft Office files.

Problem solved. Next!

 

[pulpp]

or get AbiWord which is also free, and can read and write DOC files perfectly

 

[Workin']

If you think that Star Office or AbiWord have "good" MS Office compatibility then your standards are extremely low. Just because their ads say they are compatible doesn't mean they are. If you have anything but the most basic MS document the imported/exported file is simply horrible! Try opening an Excel file that has charts in it! Or a Word file with any kind of embedded object... It's a complete and total joke!

 

[DeeK]

Maybe they missed the word "reliably" in my post...

 

[erikistired]

there's company (i think it's called 602 software?) that makes an office alternative that works great. i wish i could find the website but my net connection is messed up today. i wanna say the url is www.602software.com.

good luck.

~erik

 

[Argo]

Microsoft uses structured storage for all their documents. Try opening xls or doc file with a Doc File Viewer which comes with visual c++. That'll answer your question.

 

[rbV5]

<< it would be so neat if i don't have to pay hundreds of dollars for software just to write an essay/open an essay to be corrected. >>



Can't you use &quot;Wordpad&quot; to write an essay? It reads simple *.doc files and comes free with Windows.