http://www.smartpenguin.org/smartpenguin/2009/11/16/whats-up-doc/ Information for Clark College Blackboard Users Wed, 25 Aug 2010 22:25:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 http://www.smartpenguin.org/smartpenguin/2009/11/16/whats-up-doc/#comment-114 admin Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:04:48 +0000 http://www.smartpenguin.org/smartpenguin/?p=193#comment-114 Your comment will help get the "Word" out, Joel. :) Some of the misconception may be coming from the fact that by default, OpenOffice Writer puts out a .opt file, which isn't compatible with MS Word unless the user knows how to save the file as a .doc or .docx instead... Hence the post, hopefully giving users some instruction. There are plugins available from Microsoft for Word which allow .opt files to be read, however, you should know that faculty using college provided computers do not have administrative rights, meaning they are not allowed to download and install software or such plugins on their machines, leaving them with no alternative - other than setting up their own equipment and providing their own support, which they may not have time for. Also, we need to remember that software (and hardware) are in a constant state of flux with each new release, update, or patch creating changes in compatibility status in any software. It may be compatible today, but there are no guarantees that won't change. Now if your working conditions are very dependent on software status, for example, an English professor teaching several courses online with an average of 30 students each, grading weekly assignments, research papers, essay tests with each requiring review comments, mark-ups, rewrite suggestions, and grades with this software, you can imagine that any glitches could create major issues which would interrupt work flow and perhaps the timely grading of many students... So, we must understand and accept that sometimes it's for the benefit of many, if the faculty have made the decision to require MS Word. We do have many faculty who don't require MS Word, however, and as the reliability and compatibility with OpenOffice becomes more apparent and well known, acceptance may follow. We'll just keep spreading the information, Joel, and thanks so much for your input! Your comment will help get the “Word” out, Joel. Some of the misconception may be coming from the fact that by default, OpenOffice Writer puts out a .opt file, which isn’t compatible with MS Word unless the user knows how to save the file as a .doc or .docx instead… Hence the post, hopefully giving users some instruction. There are plugins available from Microsoft for Word which allow .opt files to be read, however, you should know that faculty using college provided computers do not have administrative rights, meaning they are not allowed to download and install software or such plugins on their machines, leaving them with no alternative – other than setting up their own equipment and providing their own support, which they may not have time for. Also, we need to remember that software (and hardware) are in a constant state of flux with each new release, update, or patch creating changes in compatibility status in any software. It may be compatible today, but there are no guarantees that won’t change. Now if your working conditions are very dependent on software status, for example, an English professor teaching several courses online with an average of 30 students each, grading weekly assignments, research papers, essay tests with each requiring review comments, mark-ups, rewrite suggestions, and grades with this software, you can imagine that any glitches could create major issues which would interrupt work flow and perhaps the timely grading of many students… So, we must understand and accept that sometimes it’s for the benefit of many, if the faculty have made the decision to require MS Word. We do have many faculty who don’t require MS Word, however, and as the reliability and compatibility with OpenOffice becomes more apparent and well known, acceptance may follow. We’ll just keep spreading the information, Joel, and thanks so much for your input!

]]> http://www.smartpenguin.org/smartpenguin/2009/11/16/whats-up-doc/#comment-107 Joel B Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:39:07 +0000 http://www.smartpenguin.org/smartpenguin/?p=193#comment-107 There are a few professors at Clark College advising students against using OpenOffice, claiming it's not compatible with Microsoft Word. While I know this is not the case, a lot of students believe it to be. Point being: teachers should be made aware of these open-source (and free!) alternatives. There are a few professors at Clark College advising students against using OpenOffice, claiming it’s not compatible with Microsoft Word. While I know this is not the case, a lot of students believe it to be. Point being: teachers should be made aware of these open-source (and free!) alternatives.

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