Not at all surprisingly, I received a lot of negative feedback about this recommendation. Still, I stand by it. Here is why:

A new user using Ubuntu for the first time as their main operating system is bound to run into some snags. After all, whenever you switch to a different operating system there are almost certain to be some differences that snag you. While many of these differences are just necessary, in situations where they can be limited and made easier, that should be done. Having Open Office save in .doc is one of those situations where a new user’s life can be made much easier, simply by having Open Office save in a format they, and their co-workers, are used to.

The most frequent counter argument to this is that it is better to encourage new users to use ODF, because it is an open standard. While I recognize the importance of this, I think it is even more important not to scare off new users. The idea that sending someone an ODF file will make then go download Open Office and suddenly transform them into a happy convert is not likely to happen. More likely, that person will ask you to send them a readable format. Even if no other person is involved, what if you need to edit your files on a computer with only Office. Of course you could install Open Office, but a new user might not know to do this. Worse, you could be at a computer where you do not have sufficient rights to install an application.

I believe that it is far better to allow a new user to make the choice to use open standards on their own, rather than forcing it on them and potentially making them run away from everything open.

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