Say “No” to Word Attachment

Filed in: Open Source — March 28th, 2004

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You sent the attachment in Microsoft Word format, a secret proprietary format, so I cannot read it. If you send me the plain text, HTML, or PDF, then I could read it.

Sending people documents in Word format has bad effects, because that practice puts pressure on them to use Microsoft software. In effect, you become a buttress of the Microsoft monopoly. This specific problem is a major obstacle to the broader adoption of GNU/Linux. Would you please reconsider the use of Word format for communication with other people?

Read: We Can Put an End to Word Attachments, by Richard M. Stallman, Jan 2002

Thought:
When I was applying job, there are companies stated that you MUST attach resume to email in MS Word format…

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  • clive james
    re AbiWord - how do I send an attachment in AbiWord - it's easy to send but it seems as if 40% of my recipients cannot open the attachment ?? Should I format these in a different way - someone has said to .rtf them but how do I do that in AbiWord set up ??
    Any help appreciated, as I think AbiWord as a WP package is excellent.
  • k4ml
    I put the link to RMS article in my mail signature for a while but decided to remove it. most people seems cannot live without the word attachment ... thanks to openoffice and abiword. at least I still can view what they are sending to me :)
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