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1.4.3 Benefiting the User

   Users want ways to create content-rich collaborative documents.  They need 
   to work quickly and efficiently, and have the flexibility to choose 
   applications.  OpenDoc will allow users to seamlessly integrate text, 
   graphics, tables, multimedia, scripts and other forms of content into a 
   single working document.  Instead of having to maneuver among 
   applications, users will easily access any tool or editor to embed 
   different types of content into a compound document.  This means that the 
   user will focus more naturally on the task at hand.  OpenDoc will ease the 
   computing experience, while ensuring a greater level of customizability 
   and flexibility. 


 


                                             



 
   Figure 4. Text and Graphics Editing 

   For example, Figure 4 shows you how text and graphics are used in the same 
   document but the document contains two different components.  The text 
   component, on the left, is supported by a text editor, and the graphics 
   component, on the right, is supported by a separate graphics editor.  We 
   now have a full text editor, in other words a word processor, and a 
   graphics editor, or a paintshop, in the same application. 

   The base menu options stay the same for each component and each component 
   adds one additional menu item.  This menu item will change depending on 
   which component is active, for example, the text component has the Options 
   menu item, and the graphics component has the Select menu item.  Each 
   component has its own pop-up menus and Figure 14 in topic 2.3.4.1 shows 
   the pop-up menu for the text component.  You would not have to learn the 
   different commands, menus, or setup for either the graphics, or the text 
   program.  This is not limited to only the test and graphics components but 
   applies to all OpenDoc components. 

   OpenDoc's most obvious benefit to end users is enhanced usability. 
   OpenDoc provides users with a more natural and flexible way to create 
   compound documents combining information of various types.  In OpenDoc, 
   the term document includes virtually all applications and almost anything 
   that a computer can output.  OpenDoc documents can be alive, not static. 
   Such things as animation, background music and a dynamically changing 
   content can all be part of an OpenDoc document. 

   OpenDoc components or parts will not be delivered to end users as 
   traditional applications.  Instead, users will be given templates 
   (graphically represented by Templates on the desktop) that can be used to 
   assemble documents.  To add text, graphic, audio, video and chart parts to 
   a document, the user simply has to drag the corresponding template for 
   that type of part into the document types you need. 

   Parts can also be complex, such as a part for a monthly report that 
   combines smaller text, spreadsheet, and chart parts.  Unlike most OLE 
   objects, OpenDoc components can contain other components or be put in 
   other components, giving the user the unlimited ability to customize the 
   document to suit the user's changing needs.  Changes to parts, such as 
   editing text or changing a graph can be made in place, without leaving the 
   document and without having to stop and think about which application 
   created the original.  This technique of creating documents puts the 
   user's focus back on the content and layout of the document, and away from 
   the intricacies of using a particular application. 

   Another benefit of this approach is that users can purchase only the 
   OpenDoc "parts" they need.  Today's software market is dominated by 
   pre-packaged, shrink wrapped, full-featured applications from a handful of 
   software vendors.  End users pay for functions they will never use, while 
   being limited by the capabilities built into the application.  On the 
   other hand, users who purchase OpenDoc component software pay only for 
   those functions they want because the components perform very specific 
   functions.  Users can assemble those small components in creative ways to 
   solve their unique problems, instead of relying on huge, inflexible, 
   one-size-fits-all programs.  Users can also mix-and-match components from 
   different vendors without any concerns about compatibility. 

   OpenDoc components are re-usable and scriptable, which will encourage 
   developers to create specialized solutions to very specific problems 
   quickly with minimal incremental development costs.  For example, an 
   invoice generation package can be custom tailored for the mail order 
   industry, and further tailored for mail order clothing companies, mail 
   order software companies and so on. 

   OpenDoc also eliminates the need to replace an application in order to 
   upgrade its functions.  New or improved functions can be added by 
   installing focused parts.  This can prevent the premature obsolescence of 
   software and relieve the headaches and spiraling costs associated with 
   software upgrades. 

   More sophisticated users will enjoy the flexibility OpenDoc's powerful OSA 
   architecture gives them.  OSA allows you to tie together functions using 
   macro-like scripts.  If you are used to using spreadsheet or word 
   processing macros today, then you'll appreciate OpenDoc's record-playback 
   facility which gives you the ability to automate repetitive tasks.  For 
   instance, if you need to complete a form at the end of every business day 
   using information from a wide variety of sources and media, OSA allows you 
   to record that operation once, name it, and run it again whenever you 
   like.  If other users in your organization need to perform similar tedious 
   tasks, they can simply edit the script for the function that you've 
   written to adapt it to their tasks.  The functions that you can write 
   resembles a language close to plain English. 

   OpenDoc can be used on different platforms on heterogeneous networks 
   making it much easier for large organizations to integrate OpenDoc 
   components throughout their organization.  OpenDoc will make it easier for 
   workgroups and individuals on a network to collaborate all kinds of 
   information and documents will be able to flow freely to all users within 
   the enterprise environment. 

   OpenDoc provides greater flexibility by allowing you to choose the 
   functions you want from software components, and adapting components to 
   suit your specific needs.  OpenDoc can assist you to work more 
   productively by providing an intuitive interface that allows you to focus 
   your attention on your work and not the software.  Finally, OpenDoc can 
   empower you to be more creative and do things you can't do with today's 
   software applications. 

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