Apache OpenOffice Community Forum

Which version of OpenOffice.org are you using? 2.4.0
What Operating System (version) are you using? Windows/Fedora 9

How do you set file associations beyond MS Office file types? Let's say RTF files. I know that I can make them open in OOo using Windows (but it's not done through OOo). It seems to me this should be part of the installation and perhaps somewhere in the UI, these could be modded if you so desire. Am I missing something? It seems to me any type that is supported well should have a simple check box, at least in the Windows version.

Also support for OpenDocument files is included or can be added to other programs. Is it wise to just assume that these should be assigned to OOo?

tro511 wrote:How do you set file associations beyond MS Office file types? Let's say RTF files. I know that I can make them open in OOo using Windows (but it's not done through OOo).

Here says it was fixed in OOo 2.3.0. Which version are you using?
http://qa.openoffice.org/issues/show_bug.cgi?id=15220

Also support for OpenDocument files is included or can be added to other programs. Is it wise to just assume that these should be assigned to OOo?

Yeah, sure. What else are you going to use, Abiword? Few people have multiple ODF** programs, and even if they do, the user can still choose a preferred application in Windows, GNOME, or wherever.

** Not that many of them are very good.

What else are you going to use, Abiword?

Possibly. Lotus Symphony? WordPerfect? MS Word, after ODF is included. KWord.

As far as the file associations, I was using RTF as an example. You'd think setting associations for most supported file types would be an option and could be modified without running the installer. I guess I'm not missing anything.

Does this issue describe what you want? If so, register for an account on that site and add 2 votes for it.
http://qa.openoffice.org/issues/show_bug.cgi?id=17718

Feel free to search yourself
http://qa.openoffice.org/issues/query.cgi

tro511 wrote:How do you set file associations beyond MS Office file types? Let's say RTF files. I know that I can make them open in OOo using Windows (but it's not done through OOo).

So why worry about it? If you can do it, then it's done, and no longer a concern. I even use an external program to associate files to various programs.

David.

Dave wrote:So why worry about it? If you can do it, then it's done, and no longer a concern. I even use an external program to associate files to various programs.

Which one? I've tried a couple. One was limited, the other complicated with insufficient documentation.

The issue listed above is what I'm discussing, *I think*. It specifically mentions a couple of formats, but I think the idea is checkboxes for various formats.

So why worry about it? If you can do it, then it's done, and no longer a concern. I even use an external program to associate files to various programs.

Well, it's not the same process on different platforms for starters. Some people may be unaware of how to do it and there's still a question in my mind; do I set the association to soffice (soffice.exe in Windows) or do I set it to the component, swriter, calc, etc. As things stand right now when you install OpenOffice.org, it commandeers the ODF format and it gives you the option of handling MS Office formats. As I mentioned above, an ever-growing list of apps is capable of handling ODF (I think this was the idea behind pushing it as a standard). So, IMHO, it shouldn't be assumed that ODF should automatically be handled by OOo. As for the many other formats that OOo can handle, I say it should be a series of checkboxes and also something in the UI to change associations without a reinstall so that it provides a similar experience across all platforms and doesn't depend on what may be faulty logic or lengthy explanations to those without the knowledge to do it.

tro511 wrote:Well, it's not the same process on different platforms for starters. Some people may be unaware of how to do it

A forum search answers that question. For example:
[Solved] Inability to open Windows Office file
Mac: Open existing document

(I actually didn't find anything, though, searching for either Linux or Ubuntu, so am not sure what to search for. Somehow I doubt association (or any part of that word ) is the right term.

But I would look for the platform's Help files for how to do that, either locally on your computer or online. It's better in my opinion to let the OS handle how to determine what program opens what file types, rather than expecting OOo to be able to set file associations for every document type you might want it to handle, in any platform you might be using. It supports so many platforms, I'm not sure this would be a realistic expectation, anyway. I can understand why the major Office formats are handled this way, but outside of that, there are just too many formats and too many possibilities.

tro511 wrote:and there's still a question in my mind; do I set the association to soffice (soffice.exe in Windows) or do I set it to the component, swriter, calc, etc. As things stand right now when you install OpenOffice.org, it commandeers the ODF format and it gives you the option of handling MS Office formats.

I think it's more efficient to tie the specific document types directly to the application you want handling them. That's just my opinion... but I'm not sure why you'd want to do otherwise.

tro511 wrote:As I mentioned above, an ever-growing list of apps is capable of handling ODF (I think this was the idea behind pushing it as a standard). So, IMHO, it shouldn't be assumed that ODF should automatically be handled by OOo. As for the many other formats that OOo can handle, I say it should be a series of checkboxes and also something in the UI to change associations without a reinstall so that it provides a similar experience across all platforms and doesn't depend on what may be faulty logic or lengthy explanations to those without the knowledge to do it.

There are good reasons for designing things the way they're designed, I believe --- but we're just other users here. I don't understand what you expect from us with your declaration of how it should be. All I can do is disagree with you because people who are presented with a multitude of unfamiliar choices and no idea what they're for will be instantly overwhelmed. If they don't have the knowledge to change file associations, they won't understand how to know what decision to make. They'll dump OOo instantly and I wouldn't blame them.

I apologize if I came across as pushy. I can be opinionated. When originally posting, my intent was to be sure that I wasn't overlooking something already in OOo. I guess some of the replies made me feel that a longer explanation was needed. Perhaps I should avoid language like, "should be". Do know however, that I was just trying to get my point across. I left comments on the second issue that AndrewZ pointed out. Thanks Andrew!

*just noticed I used *should be* there too

foxcole wrote:Which one? I've tried a couple. One was limited, the other complicated with insufficient documentation.

http://wareseeker.com/publisher/alexand ... ver/66077/

No docs, but an intuitive and simple menu. But then, Windows XP comes with its own method ...not as obvious as it once was though, and the old [old] Windows file manager made it dead simple.

David.

Actually, we could spend a lifetime telling software developers [all of them] how to improve their products. I've spent what seems like a lifetime gathering shareware/freeware of various sorts, and hour and hours and hours checking through it all. I've looked for what I need, not chastised for its lack in some particular instance ...and counted myself lucky when I've found it among all the junk out there.

If "some people are not aware how to do it", then they have a problem. Some do personal research, some read books, some take courses at colleges, some grab the nearest teenager and force them to explain it.

File Association is a platform problem and solution, not a requirement for particular programs, except those written especially for the task. I indicated one in my other posting.

David.

tro511 wrote:I apologize if I came across as pushy. I can be opinionated. When originally posting, my intent was to be sure that I wasn't overlooking something already in OOo. I guess some of the replies made me feel that a longer explanation was needed. Perhaps I should avoid language like, "should be".

LOL... I understand.

Dave wrote:I've spent what seems like a lifetime gathering shareware/freeware of various sorts, and hour and hours and hours checking through it all.

I'm a portable-applications junkie, myself, and only use open source and freeware programs. I was hoping to have a look at that software you linked to, but the only download "mirror" gives a server not found error. Would have been cool if that could work as a portable app, since it works on "all platforms" according to the website. Maybe the server's just down. I'll try again later.

Edit: I did find it at PC Advisor, however. And I think this will work great as a portable app, because it allows me to both save and restore file associations, which means I can temporarily override the associations on the current machine, and it's a simple executable so no installation is required, meaning it's naturally portable... it fetches the current settings with the click of a button so I can save them... This is very cool! Thanks, Dave!!!!

foxcole wrote:I'm a portable-applications junkie, myself

Do you have the Lupo PenSuite?

David.