On Sun, 2006-01-22 at 10:11 -0500, Patrick Shanahan wrote:

* Mike McMullin [01-22-06 10:06]:

...

I'm looking for an utility to covert MSWorks .WPS files into something that I can import into OOo. My inlaws had to get a new system and it came with OOo installed, but OOo (2.0) doesn't open works stuff, and I'd like to not have to install MSWorks.

IF you still have access to the windoz box, export the wks files as csv and then import them in OO.

Old system had bum power supply. I was going to image the disk onto DVD's for them, but I wanted to convert the files without re-installing the original (offending :) software. I did a Google search and found some stuff about converting from one format to another but the utilities seems to require MS-Word for the filters, which is actually self defeating for my purpose.

On Sun, 2006-01-22 at 07:24 -0800, Scott Leighton wrote:

On Sunday 22 January 2006 7:04 am, Mike McMullin wrote:

...

I'm looking for an utility to covert MSWorks .WPS files into something that I can import into OOo. My inlaws had to get a new system and it came with OOo installed, but OOo (2.0) doesn't open works stuff, and I'd like to not have to install MSWorks.

If they still have the old system with MSWorks on it, they can open the files in works and save them in RTF format. OOo will be able to handle the RTF versions of the files.

<chuckle> I actually know enough to give too much info in an explanation. The old system is dead, HP small foot print platform, dead power supply. If you've ever worked on one of these babies you know there's not much room in them and unfortunately I don't have a spare power supply or the room to set this up for a few hours to network it and do what is as simple as you suggest. (Too bad, I know this suggestion would work.)

On Sunday 22 January 2006 12:45, Kai Ponte wrote:

On Sunday 22 January 2006 07:04 am, Mike McMullin wrote:

...

I'm looking for an utility to covert MSWorks .WPS files into something that I can import into OOo. My inlaws had to get a new system and it came with OOo installed, but OOo (2.0) doesn't open works stuff, and I'd like to not have to install MSWorks.

I'm not sure (reading the other posts) how you have access to the MS Works files. Are they on floppy/CD? Do you have the hard drive?

Pretty much anyone running MS Word XP or 2003 should be able to open the files and then save them as the rtf/doc format which OOo will open. I have Word XP on this laptop (under Crossover Office) and see that it opens Works 4 and Works 2000 documents.

My two suggestions then would be for either you to find someone with an MS Word installation and open/convert there or to write yourself a MS Works > OOo translation filter and submit it to the OOo peeps.

-- kai www.perfectreign.com

linux - genuine windows replacement part =========

Why not just install their old MSWorks in Wine on his Linux long enough to convert the files, then wipe it off? Lee

On Sun, 2006-01-22 at 21:31 -0500, James Knott wrote:

BandiPat wrote:

...

Why not just install their old MSWorks in Wine on his Linux long enough to convert the files, then wipe it off?

Is the new computer running Linux? I hadn't seen that mentioned anywhere. Some new computers, from Lenovo for example, are now coming with OO installed on Windows.

No the shop that it was purchased from had gone over to Caldera/SCO and tends to be a windows only outfit. The system is a refurbbed Compaq desktop system with 2k-Pro pre-installed, 128 meg of ram. And my BIL, who also does tech support for my ILs doesn't do Linux, and doesn't understand why I do.

On Monday 23 January 2006 03:38 am, James Knott wrote:

Mike McMullin wrote: What really gets me, is the way that rebooting is considered part of problem determination, when you're running Windows.

This is going way OT, but... ...we run a mainframe (currently a z890) here for supporting large datasets on either DB2 or IMS. We have an on-call staff, who handles production support during night and weekend hours. (The mainframe is - of course 24/7/365.) The few times they asked me to do on-call, I responded by telling them that - whatever the problem is - the solution is to IPL. They haven't asked me to be on-call again. -- kai www.perfectreign.com linux - genuine windows replacement part

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 The Monday 2006-01-23 at 07:09 -0800, kai wrote:

This is going way OT, but...

...we run a mainframe (currently a z890) here for supporting large datasets on either DB2 or IMS. We have an on-call staff, who handles production support during night and weekend hours. (The mainframe is - of course 24/7/365.) The few times they asked me to do on-call, I responded by telling them that - whatever the problem is - the solution is to IPL.

They haven't asked me to be on-call again.

What's IPL? - -- Cheers, Carlos Robinson -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.4.0 (GNU/Linux) Comment: Made with pgp4pine 1.76 iD8DBQFD1ryKtTMYHG2NR9URAnFlAJ40LQ975uWzLJs7Ql3hnpKF+7OqgQCdF0JS jxgMO5z88uK/4Gc6P63EIkc= =AimV -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

Carlos E. R. wrote:

What's IPL?

Initial Program Load, loosely equivalent to today's boot of the OS (for a mainframe). -- Joe Morris Registered Linux user 231871

It might interest people to know that even hardline Microsoft users have problems in converting Works format documents to anything else. It can be done, if you know how. It's not 'easy' though as in the 'easy' that most MS users come to be familiar with. It's actually quite amusing when one comes across this problem with a Windows user :-) -- ============================================== I am only human, please forgive me if I make a mistake it is not deliberate. ============================================== Xmas may be over but, PLEASE DON'T drink and drive you'll make it to the next one that way. Kevan Farmer Linux user #373362 Cheslyn Hay Staffordshire WS6 7HR

On Sun, 2006-01-22 at 09:45 -0800, Kai Ponte wrote:

On Sunday 22 January 2006 07:04 am, Mike McMullin wrote:

...

I'm looking for an utility to covert MSWorks .WPS files into something that I can import into OOo. My inlaws had to get a new system and it came with OOo installed, but OOo (2.0) doesn't open works stuff, and I'd like to not have to install MSWorks.

I'm not sure (reading the other posts) how you have access to the MS Works files. Are they on floppy/CD? Do you have the hard drive?

I'm going to pick up the original HD and image it over to DVD, at that point I will have access to all of the data. I have zipped and e-mailed myself several files in order to be able to do some work should a convenient solution present itself.

Pretty much anyone running MS Word XP or 2003 should be able to open the files and then save them as the rtf/doc format which OOo will open. I have Word XP on this laptop (under Crossover Office) and see that it opens Works 4 and Works 2000 documents.

This is an idea. I don't have that stuff, but I do have access to a system that might have office xp on it.

My two suggestions then would be for either you to find someone with an MS Word installation and open/convert there or to write yourself a MS Works > OOo translation filter and submit it to the OOo peeps.

First could work for me, the second requires more work than time available to me at the moment.

On Sun, 2006-01-22 at 21:19 -0500, James Knott wrote:

Mike McMullin wrote:

...

I'm looking for an utility to covert MSWorks .WPS files into something that I can import into OOo. My inlaws had to get a new system and it came with OOo installed, but OOo (2.0) doesn't open works stuff, and I'd like to not have to install MSWorks.

Does Word Viewer read those files? If the documents aren't to complex, you can always cut 'n paste between WV and OO.

I'll let you know. I had not thought of that. I don't have it installed, yet.

On Tue, 2006-02-07 at 20:30 -0500, James Knott wrote:

James Knott wrote:

...

Mike McMullin wrote:

...

I'm looking for an utility to covert MSWorks .WPS files into something that I can import into OOo. My inlaws had to get a new system and it came with OOo installed, but OOo (2.0) doesn't open works stuff, and I'd like to not have to install MSWorks.

Does Word Viewer read those files? If the documents aren't to complex, you can always cut 'n paste between WV and OO.

Here's another possibility. It's a Works to Word conversion utility. Once they're in Word format, OO should be able to handle them.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=b9e11e83-f51b-4977-b572-8c042df802c1&DisplayLang=en

Unfortunately you need a copy of MS word for this one. <sigh> Vendor lock in, it's just so...

On Wed, 2006-02-08 at 07:34 -0500, James Knott wrote:

Mike McMullin wrote:

...

On Tue, 2006-02-07 at 20:30 -0500, James Knott wrote:

...

James Knott wrote:

...

Mike McMullin wrote:

...

I'm looking for an utility to covert MSWorks .WPS files into something that I can import into OOo. My inlaws had to get a new system and it came with OOo installed, but OOo (2.0) doesn't open works stuff, and I'd like to not have to install MSWorks.

Does Word Viewer read those files? If the documents aren't to complex, you can always cut 'n paste between WV and OO.

Here's another possibility. It's a Works to Word conversion utility. Once they're in Word format, OO should be able to handle them.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=b9e11e83-f51b-4977-b572-8c042df802c1&DisplayLang=en

Unfortunately you need a copy of MS word for this one. <sigh> Vendor lock in, it's just so...

Are you certain? Word isn't listed as a requirement. The page just says it works with certain Word versions, presumably not older ones. Since it's a free download, why not give it a try?

I will give it a try. The wording seems to preclude stand alone use. You open Word, and use the file open function in it to import the document. No mention of filtering it first, so I assume the program hooks into Word. I do appreciate your looking into this. Mike

On Wed, 2006-02-08 at 23:02 -0500, James Knott wrote:

Mike McMullin wrote:

...

I will give it a try. The wording seems to preclude stand alone use. You open Word, and use the file open function in it to import the document. No mention of filtering it first, so I assume the program hooks into Word. I do appreciate your looking into this.

As I have neither Word nor Works files, there's no way I can try it.

Well I could fix the second part of that easy. ;) BTW the following is just so apropos: http://blogs.zdnet.com/open-source/index.php?p=564&tag=nl.e589 It's one that Fred has posted.

As I said, it's a free download. If it doesn't work, it doesn't work and you've only lost a bit of time.

But I have gained knowledge, it's a trade at worst.

On Wed, 2006-02-08 at 10:44 -0500, Carl Hartung wrote:

On Wednesday 08 February 2006 01:38, Mike McMullin wrote:

...

On Tue, 2006-02-07 at 20:30 -0500, James Knott wrote:

...

<http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...

Unfortunately you need a copy of MS word for this one.

Hi Mike,

Something's been 'bugging me' about this .wps file conversion quest you're on. I finally figured out what it is: I'd say at least most, if not all, of the mass-produced, lower end brand name pc's I service have Works installed. Check your customers and relatives and friends... their attics and garages and kid's rooms... those systems are *everywhere* up here...

Oh wait... brb... . . . . Yup!

Got one in Marie's room! <grin> [She's six and dual booting already!]

As a last resort, you can contact me off list and I'll extract and convert those files for you, but I'm sure you can find something closer, don't ya think?

Actually I lucked out and got the original box, found a power supply for it, and am waiting till the weekend to go at it. First order of business is of course to boot my system into ME and access the box via the network. I'll try the converter that James mentioned above. If that fails it'll probably be an open and export on the original box. I had initially thought, I wouldn't get access to the box, just the files. I'm continuing on with this just because, as you note, there are so many of these things out there. I'll hopefully find a reasonable solution, and be able to guide others through this later, it would be nice to be able to do it sans Word. Mike