[softwarelist] Re: OP on Linux

On Mon, 2006-11-20 at 14:07 +0000, David Pilling wrote:
> Hi,
> 
> Thinking of a Linux version of OP. I'd be interested to hear how people 
> rate the following points as why Ovation Pro for Windows is not more 
> popular:
> 
> (1) Doesn't look and feel like a Windows program e.g. no support MDI 
> mode (all documents are child windows of a big window)
> (2) Lack of DTP features - e.g. tables
> (3) Lack of dedicated Windows support e.g. OLE
> (4) On going problems or bugs that have not been fixed e.g. little bits 
> of text not redrawn correctly
> (5) Too good on RISC OS file formats e.g. Draw and not good enough on 
> Windows formats e.g. WMF/EMF
> (6) A full version of Quark Express came on this months Computer Shopper 
> CD
> (7) Old fashioned - e.g. should have things like XML and Unicode built 
> in from the start.
> 
> Only people who don't use OP on Windows and who have never used RISC OS 
> should reply. And you can't tick "all of the above". 8-)
> 
> I (as a RISC OS user) am happy to use OP on Windows for all my word 
> processing/DTP needs. The problem is making the program appeal to those 
> who have no background in RISC OS.
> 
> This is relevant because some of the same problems are likely to arise 
> on Linux.
> 
> 

I am not sure that the points which you have raised are particularly
significant. The program is very easy to use and the small niggles which
you refer to are not sufficient to account for a low take-up.

For my two-pennyworth, I think that OP was too late on the scene. Most
professional houses were already into Quark or Pagemaker, with all their
files committed to those formats. Now the lower price market has taken
to PagePlus with its aggressive cut price marketing. 

It may be too late now, but if you had gone straight for a Linux version
you would have been so much earlier on the scene and as the program is
exceptionally easy to use, has many really excellent features which make
for good productivity, it could well have been a killer app. And
everything in Linux is not for free.

Sorry to be such a wet blanket; I would much rather be encouraging
especially as you have provided such a first rate Desktop Publisher and
supported the users so well.

Berni.

Other related posts: