[MLUG] Re: members Digest, Vol 27, Issue 20

[EMAIL:PROTECTED]

> Gene Worth wrote:
> That's a good question ... not an easy answer ... except to say that a
> proprietary word processor format is not (by definition) encrypted, and
> no one is intending to obscure the meaning of the file in any way. 
> Anyone with Microsoft Word, or OO for that matter, could open the file
> and read the contents. Zipped files are unreadable, too, but permitted
> since the format is freely available, and the contents are not encrypted.
> 
> But, encrypted text messages, with PGP, etc.? No, no!!

Why not? Anyone with PGP can read my PGP messages, by your own logic 
regarding MS Word.

My point is that Microsoft very purposely INTENDS TO OBSCURE the
format of their own proprietary MS Word format.

Also, last I checked Microsoft Word is not free, nor is the source
code available. By definition, MS Word docs are proprietary, unpublished
copyrighted specifications, possibly patented. I am unable to access these
documents without purchasing a Microsoft Word license.

To me, that is using our public airwaves to transmit encrypted or obscured
contents. Have you ever looked at a MS Word document with a raw file viewer?

The fact that OpenOffice exists is merely pig lipstick on this issue.

Mike/
_______________________________________________
members mailing list
EMAIL:PROTECTED
http://mlug.missouri.edu/mailman/listinfo/members