> So far, AbiLook (hee hee hee) is not very close to the top of our
> priority list. For some reasons, I think it would be a fun addition.
> After all, PIMs are not conceptually hard, and the requisite attention
> to excellent GUI work fits our core mission pretty well.
I can certainly see that. However, I do think it should be a pretty high
priority once AbiWord is rolling. I have just noticed that most people
where I work (a Health care organization) spend a LOT of time in OutLook.
Furthermore, the PIM/EMAIL integration is used a lot. This, to me, makes
it even more important than a spreadsheet (and the only reason I still
have to run windows at work). Of course, I neve use spreadsheets, rarely
use access, occassonally use WP, and use outlook all the time at work. I
may be biased by my own job and organization.
Patrick
>
> However, the minimum feature set for a PIM is pretty high right now,
> if you want it to gain a large user base. For example, I don't think
> you can get really big market penetration with a PIM unless you can
> sync to a PalmPilot (or whatever the official name of that device is
> this week).
>
> As for your architectural questions:
>
> The AbiWord text engine is going to need to be abstracted out to be
> more suitable for use in multiple apps. For example, AbiShow (our
> PowerPoint-like-thingie) needs it. A PIM would certainly need it
> as well.
>
> The XAP (cross-application) framework stuff is currently being
> purified to make it more reusable for apps other than AbiWord.
> We hope to make it easier to code a simple GUI app in the
> Abi fashion.
>
> --
>
> > Does ABI have any plans to do an Outlook-like program? I ask because, at
> > least where I work, this is rapidly becoming a killer app. I suspect
> > others are in the same boat.
> >
> > It seems to me that an outlook-like programe could benefit greatly from
> > having AbiWord to provide the editing infrastructure and so on. How well
> > adapted is the XP framework ABI is using to this?
> >
> > For what it's worth, I'm not planning to start writing this. I'm just
> > thinking about the problem.
> >
> > Patrick
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > J. Patrick Narkinsky (patrick@narkinsky.ml.org)
> >
> > "If you want to know what God thinks about money, just look at the people
> > He gives it to." -- Old Irish Saying
>
> --
> Eric W. Sink, Software Craftsman
> eric@abisource.com
>
-- J. Patrick Narkinsky (patrick@narkinsky.ml.org)"If you want to know what God thinks about money, just look at the people He gives it to." -- Old Irish Saying