broken file associations after installing the new version.

users
#1

When I removed LibreOffice 6.0.3 from my Ubuntu 18.04 system, and then installed 6.0.5, the first time I opened a ODT document, it showed the ebook library package "Calibre" as the default package to open the ODT document.

SO, any ideas why after removing 6.0.3 and then installing the newest version 6.0.5 would not assign ODT files to Writer?  I know Calibre will convert between types of documents/books, but never knew about ODT files - if it does at all.  I know that once last year, when I installed a different package that could open the ODT file AFTER I installed the newest version of LibreOffice. I had to re-install that version of LO to get the file properties to list the correct packages.

Of course, today I just took one ODT file and changed the default package for it, which hopefully change it for all of the ODT files.

Still, how come I had the problem in the first place.  Shouldn't the install of LibreOffice on Ubuntu-Mate 18.04LTS grab the package preference for each of the default office file type? Both ODF and MS Office?  It should, right?

If this "not associating file types" during install is a bug, then it needs to be fixed.  I think people who have a good skill set, for both Windows and Linux, should know how to "manually" set the file association to the correct package/program.  The problem to me is those who are not as skilled, who find this broken association and "freak out".

I know many here in my apartment building who would "freak out" and then ask me to help them. I know more in the community who barely know how to install a package using Windows and a self-running CD/DVD, let alone being able to download the proper version of LibreOffice for their system, and then install it.

#2

I think I know what happened. When you removed 6.0.3 from your computer, you removed the file association between LibreOffice and the ODT files. This association is "open this type file with LibreOffice 6.0.3". There is also a second level of file associations which is "other recommended applications". Calibre fits into that catagory. (I have used it to convert ODT files into ePUB format many times.) If, as I think, calebre was the top program in that list, it stands to reason that calibre would become the default package to open ODT files.
   It would seem that the most installation of 6.0.5 would to list it in the second level of file associations. I sometimes have more than one version of libreoffice on my computer. Then when I right click on an ODT file, I am given one of them as the default package. If I select "open with other application", I see all versions of libreoffice listed. (Right now I would see libreoffice 6.0 and 6.1.0 [which is RC1].)
   I should mention that upon installing a new version of libreoffice, I also modify the bootstraprc file so that a new folder of configurations files is written in ~/.config/libreoffice/. Right now in this folder, I have the following folders: 6HSQL and 6.1. The former is config files for 6.0.5 which I use for running hsqldb 2.4.1 as the backend for Base. The latter is for RC1. (I probably installed the RC1 version in parallel and then using sudo moved the installation to /opt/.)

Dan

#3

I know that when I installed a editing package that also used ODF files, it became the default viewer for it.  Why LO does not do that? I thought it did once.

LibreOffice is now the only office package I use for Linux and Windows.  I wish LO would soon put out a read/write version for Android, and not just a viewer, even if it is a limited one. I had to use AndrOffice [?] for my android tablet, for creation/editing the documents, if I did not take a laptop with me.  I went to the ER once for one problem, but I was kept for a week attached to an IV "bag". If did not take anything with me to the ER.  My sister brought the tablet to me.  I used it for ebooks, watching streaming TV [local cable provider's app], and typed in some ideas I had while in bed almost 24/7. I wanted to do something while there. I tend not to sleep much in the hospital.  Now I make sure I bring my tablet with me - filled with books, movies, music, and everything I may need to create documents with it.

#4

-- Tim

#5

I wish LO would soon put out a read/write version for Android, and not just a viewer,

There is an experimental mode, that theoretically allows for editing of
documents. It wouldn't open, much less edit any of the documents I
tested. :frowning:
(One of the documents I tested, was teh list of extensions for LibO.)

I had to use AndrOffice [?]

Ouch.

The only way I could use that program, was to:
* Turn off Internet Access;
* Turn off BlueTooth Access;
* Turn off Cell Data Transfer;
* Turn off the phone;
* Turn on "Airplane Mode;
* Go to ">Settings >App >AndOffice", and clear both settings and cache;
* Reboot the tablet;
* Start AndrOffice;
* Use another device, if I had to access the net, whilst using AndrOffice;

That said, AndrOffice does have much more functional navigation controls
than either EuroOffice or LibreOffice.

Now I make sure I bring my tablet with me - filled with books, movies, music, and
everything I may need to create documents with it.

I use Markor for creating/editing text documents.

I'm looking for a basic spreadsheet program, that has good navigation
functionality, and respects my privacy. Even something as basic as the
one on my PC 2000 phone would be fine. (I've forgotten what it was
called, but my only objection to it, was that the file format it used
was not readable by any other software, on any other platform out there.)

jonathon

#6

I did not have that trouble with my older tablet.  But, I rarely edit documents on it, maybe once every 30 or 50  times I use it.