Exporting StarOffice Schedule Data

The current release of the software does not include a Schedule application or server. Export your tasks and appointments to an alternative schedule application and server. For Sun's new iCal calendar server geared for enterprises . The Schedule export supports vCalendar, XML-iCalendar and iCalendar formats.

To export your Schedule data, open a task or event view in StarOffice 5.2 and choose File > Export (see Figure 3-5).

Figure 3-5. Exporting Schedule data

graphics/03fig05.jpg

Converting 5.2 Files to the Current Release and Reading 5.2 Files

To convert all files at once, in the current release of the software choose File > AutoPilot > Document Converter.

Figure 3-6. Batch converter

graphics/03fig06.jpg

However, if you just open a 5.2 file in the current release of the software it will be converted without problems.

Backward/forward compatibility

5.2 files can be read in the current release, but not vice versa. However, you can save any current file to 5.2 format by just choosing File > Save As in the current release of the software.

Default save format

If you want the default file format to be 5.2 when you're using the current release, choose Tools > Options > Load/Save > General, and set the default file formats to 5.2 in the Standard File Format area.

Conversion for graphics and other objects

When converting StarOffice 5.x files to the current release either manually or using the AutoPilot, all StarOffice software objects embedded as an OLE object, such as charts or graphics, are automatically converted to the new release's XML format.

Converting UNIX 5.2 Printers

Use the printer administration tool spadmin in the current release's installed directory.

After installing the current release of the software, start the spadmin application.
Click the New Printer button at the bottom of the window that appears.

Figure 3-7. Main window of New Printer Device AutoPilot
In the window that appears, select the last option in the option list, then click Next.
The tool will convert all 5.2 printers, then display them.

Macros

By and large, no 5.1 or previous macros are converted or supported in the current release. Macros from StarOffice 5.2 macros should work and require only limited changes. For more information see Appendix: Macros on page 959.

Migrating Data and Databases

The migration issues with databases and 6.0 aren't all that extensive . Here are a couple tips and the "what's new" information.

Changes in This Release

Instead of creating and maintaining a proprietary StarOffice database format (.sdb), the current release of the software works with numerous widely distributed data sources. You can connect and administer a wide variety of data sources and provide data access to all office suite software components .

StarBase is no longer available.
The report engine and the AutoPilots to create tables, forms, queries and reports are no longer available.
The Data Source window lets you connect to data sources, not create them. You can connect to any existing data source via ODBC/JDBC driver that usually comes with the database itself. See Creating a Data Source Based on Text Files on page 882.

Converting Databases

The only difference is that in 5.2, queries and forms are stored in a separate (.sdb) file. When migrating to the current release, these (.sbd) files can be imported using the StarOffice 5.2 Database Import AutoPilot from the File, AutoPilot menu. The data itself (as stored in the database (.dbf) is in no way affected). The AutoPilot automatically converts your queries and forms to the current release, allowing you to easily access your data. See Migrating a StarOffice 5.2 Database and Creating a Data Source on page 902.

Buy on amazon.com >>

Haugland S., Jones F.

<< Previous page

Table of contents

Next page >>