Using OO as viewer only

serries · General User Joined: 04 Feb 2006 Posts: 6

We are looking for a way to use OpenOffice.org 2.0.x as a viewer-only applicaton. The view-only mode should set editing by *central configuration*. The user should not be able to overwrite this setting. If editing is disabled there should be no way for the user to run OpenOffice in edit mode or to create any new document..

Background: We need an application (under linux) to only(!) display documents in (mostly) MS-Office-format. The restricted OpenOffice version is not to prevent the useres from changing any files but to protect our user support unit from an unmanageble number of support request related to working in office documents. OpenOffice would be only one application within a closed system. Working with office documents is no (primary) functional requirement within this system; but viewing office documents is essential to be able to read mails and attachments from our customers. (Currently we use the MS-Office-Viewer. Because of stability issues we want to switch to a native linux application.)

A view-only feature is so important for us, that we would like to implement it (if not already present). Is there anybody who can give us advice for this.

Thanks in advance.
Thomas

GAllen · Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 9:27 am Post subject:

addActionLock
removeActionLock
lockControllers
unLockControllers

i think the above commands may be something to do with it but i could never get the buggers to do anything. Sad

let me know iff you find different.

hol.sten · Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 9:57 am Post subject: Re: Using OO as viewer only

serries · General User Joined: 04 Feb 2006 Posts: 6

You're right, there was a related discussion recently. It's mine Wink

noranthon · Super User Joined: 07 Jul 2005 Posts: 3318

A quick look at some search results got this page which may help:
http://www.oooforum.org/forum/viewtopic.phtml?t=28151

I searched for "configuration" and "edit" (both terms). The search results are http://www.oooforum.org/forum/search.phtml?search_id=1744111428&start=50

NoOneLeft · General User Joined: 20 Jan 2006 Posts: 13

Found a link in the General forum that may meet your needs. It sounds like this tool is in early development stages, although is does already have some functionality. It's an extension to the firefox browser to allow viewing documents int he browser itself. Currently only supports writer docs though.

https://addons.mozilla.org/extensions/moreinfo.php?id=1888&application=firefox

serries · General User Joined: 04 Feb 2006 Posts: 6

In the meantime we realised a viewonly mode for OpenOffice.org 2.x. It is based on Star-Basic macros which are called on the following events:
- opening a document
- creating a new document.

Additionally we modified toolbar, menu and keybindings for readonly mode to ensure, that the users can not by-pass our modifications to easy.

If there is interest in our solution I'd be willing to post it or send it by E-Mail.

Best Reguards and thanks to all who replyed my initial post
Thomas

noranthon · Super User Joined: 07 Jul 2005 Posts: 3318

Please post your solution. Others will be interested.
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Rajesh_h · General User Joined: 14 May 2011 Posts: 6

I know I am answering a very old thread, but I could not help.

Solution to what you want is PDF cdocuments. Simply export PDFs with protection enabled and distribute these to achieve your purposes.
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Thanks very much for the help

Rajesh Haldipur