OnlyOffice Community Server: open-source collaboration projects | Hacker News Reader

OnlyOffice Community Server: open-source collaboration projects

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57 pointsbased225 comments

I had a short look at compiling their Desktop Editors. Not only do they not provide any build instructions, but a ticket for it has been unanswered for years. Since they provide binary rpms but no srpms/spec files (which would not only document, but most likely implement a fully automatic build system), I can only conclude this is intentional.

This is a big red flag for anything "open source" for me.

You didn't look too well:

https://github.com/ONLYOFFICE/desktop-apps/tree/master/win-l...

Hint: github has a find file button

thanks. ~~i retract the part about srpms, then.~~ to my defense: the repository i looked at (and that is linked to in the documentation, afair) is ONLYOFFICE/DesktopEditors and there, issue #4 is still unresolved.

EDIT: on second look, no, the point on srpms still stands. the %build section of the linked spec file is completely empty!

These don't look like instructions, unless I'm misunderstanding something.

The spec files (also mentioned in the GP post) are what RPM uses to describe how to build the software and then package it into a .rpm file for later installation. This includes things like build and runtime dependencies, along with the actual steps to compile the software. They're not the most human friendly things to work with but they will certainly give all the information needed to build everything.

rpm

One thing that stops me from using OnlyOffice is that it uses MSOffice file format internally. It is wrong idea and using it would only increase amount of .docx/.xlsx files, solidifying grip on the market.

They should have used ODT.

Don't let perfect be the enemy of good. An open source way for people to continue to use the formats that are well-used in the business space is inherently better than everyone just using Microsoft Office, which is what everyone will do if Office support isn't good.

I agree, that perfect isn't the enemy of good, but this reasoning has led me to a totally different path: I chose to use good old LibreOffice, missing on those sweet collaborative and online features, for the goal of changing the formats that are used in the business space.

While Microsoft Office is the default, you have zero chance of changing the formats used in the business space. Full stop.

However, if you can maintain compatibility, by using an Office-format-first option, and win people over to your open software, the idea of using open software and non-standard formats becomes baseline viable.

No. I managed to run a business since 2007 without sending out a MSOffice file to a business partner even _once_.

The dependability on MSO file formats is a myth, perpetuated by those who are too intimidated to fight for the right thing against the indifferent majority.

Also. Office-format-first approach is NEVER going to work for alternative products, MS has taken care of it, and will continue to do so.

What's wrong with ISO/IEC 29500 Strict ?

The corrupt way it got standardized [1] [2]

[1] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standardization_of_Office_Op...

[2] https://effi.org/blog-kai-2007-09-05-en/

I've installed this on my home server. It's pretty damn neat. I'm sure the spreadsheets won't win over those that use advanced Excel features, and I had to do weird things because I'm using a residential connection and outgoing SMTP is blocked, but if you want to host anything even resembling an online office suite at your house this works well.

Documentation says there is a client/connection limit on the community edition, how is that enforced? Since you have installed it already, I thought you might have checked that already too.

I made an integration with only office a few days ago for my open source project: https://github.com/mickael-kerjean/filestash Got very impressed compared to collabora and libre office online. Thank you for making this!

Would be nice to have something like this but for LibreOffice, since the latter has better support for various formats.

It exists and is called LibreOffice Online.

Link: https://www.libreoffice.org/download/libreoffice-online/

That's basically Collabora

I made a self hosting solution for OnlyOffice but I don't know what to do with it. Seems like a lot more trouble than most people would want though my solution is as simple as selecting some menus and options. What kind of business angle can there be for self hosting your own office suite? Who needs it and who would be willing to part money for a setup tool if it was flawless?

I don't know a canonical answer to your question, but one possible idea that comes to mind is making a simple "coming soon" landing page (and domain) with the stereotypical email address box on it, and an extra field to let people say what they'd do with it. Thus you could crowdfund an answer to this question for just the costs of hosting (and the time taken to put the page together).

Pretty good idea actually. I think I will try this!

We had good experience with this on-premise

OnlyOffice is awesome.

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