Open365: Free Software Office365 and Google Docs competitor

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JadedCtrl
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Joined: 08/11/2014

A couple of weeks ago, I found this: https://open365.io
It's a libre version of Google Docs, kinda-- instead of a giant JS program, it streams the displays of Libreoffice and KDE PIM apps to your browser.
Only problem is that there's a tad bit of lag, but that's to be expected from something like this.
I was worried that it'd be another instance of open-washing, but they seem to care about "open" and libre software: https://support.open365.io/index.php/en/forum/englishsuport/52-client-source-code
You can run an instance of it on your own server, too-- at least, so they say. I haven't found the source code for the server yet, but I hope that they either haven't released it yet or I just didn't look hard enough.

What do you mates think? =w=

JadedCtrl
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Joined: 08/11/2014

Side-note: This thing actually works in browsers other than Icecat/Abrowser and Chrome/Chromium, unlike Docs. :p
I've been using it with Vimb and no problems've popped up... Can't say that about Google Docs.

gnu4
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Joined: 11/06/2015

Assuming you're not running this on your own server; isn't a service like Open365 basically a variant of SaaSS (service as a software substitute)?

https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/who-does-that-server-really-serve.html

In the article above, Google Docs is mentioned as either being SaaSS or just a privacy and freedom issue depending on how you use it.

In my understanding, whether the code of the service is free or not only applies to the freedom of the owner of the server the service is running on and not to the clients sending their data to that server.

https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/network-services-arent-free-or-nonfree.html

"SaaSS is equivalent to using a non-free program with surveillance features and a universal back door, so you should reject it and replace it with a free program that does the same job."

Still, I suppose it all depends on how the service is used and whether you're sending your data to someone else to do "your own computing" for you. =)

albertoefg
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Joined: 04/21/2016

The point is that you install it in your own server along with owncloud :)

There is also this one called collabora that offers kind of the same service:

https://www.collaboraoffice.com/solutions/collabora-cloudsuite/

Both suites are meant for private use. That's why they will provide you with the packages for install your own server.

It might be used for SaaSS but that’s not the purpose of the project, so don't worry about it.