Collaborative editing

[hop-frog]

Hello~

I often have to collaborate with other people to make a document, for example: a test paper for one class taught by many teachers. I'm usually placed in charge of putting all of the material from different authors into one document, applying the formatting, and editing.

Of course, after I put it together and edit it, I like to send it back to the various authors, so they can check my edits and apply final edits themselves. If have to put those final edits back together and submit it for approval and printing.

Of course, they don't use OpenOffice.org, they all use MS Word.

I've found 3 ways to have them edit, but none work so well...

1. Send them the file as a DOC. Then they edit and send it back. The formatting does not show up right on their computer. The fonts do not show up right. In a 20 page file, it is really hard to see what parts they changed. They make formatting changes (I don't want to upset them by ignoring those).
2. Send them the file as a PDF. Then they send an E-mail with a list of edits. This is too much work for them.
3. Send them the file as a TXT. Then they send me a TXT. I use DIFF, which lists the differences and very quickly edit the document. They don't like working with a TXT.

There must be a better way...

~~~

[David]

[metrofax]

Don't get me wrong - I'm a strong OpenOffice advocate but have you thought of using Google docs for this purpose.

Sounds like to tool for the job.
_________________
Chris Haycox
Metri Hi Speed email fax provider with small business fax solutions and corporate packages.

[Robert Tucker]

O3Spaces?

Don't know quite whether it will do what you want or whether it will be too heavy for what you need.
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LibreOffice 3.6.6 on Fedora 18, LibreOffice 4.0.2 on Ubuntu 13.04 (Double Boot)

[Warrick Nelson]

Ask them to enable Track Changes in Word. They come back into Writer sometimes a bit strange, but still highlight what has been changed. Under Tools>Track Changes.

In Writer under Edit>Changes