developerWorks: RTF on the Server

“Several readers asked that Server clinic treat Microsoft Word
documents the same way: describe how to manage them
programmatically.

“It’s important to do so. Few office workers get the point of
automation, despite the large investments Microsoft and others have
made in scripting, ‘active documents,’ and related technologies.
‘Civilians’ are largely habituated to routines of typing in data
that come from computer print-outs. I see plenty of workplaces
where it’s unusual even to question such practices.

“On the other side, many of the system programmers with the
expertise to help end-users integrate complex work-flows don’t
regard Microsoft Word formats as feasible targets for server-side
programming. Commercial document management packages are available,
but only for costs in the range of $20,000 and up.

“In fact, there’s plenty you can do with Word documents on a
Linux or other UNIX server, at a modest cost. Consider the
possibilities..”

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