[Tex2002ans]

Originally Posted by Quoth

Google Docs seriously messes formatting.

Yep, Google Docs completely mangles the Styles in your document, and reexporting out of it creates a gobbledygook mess of code which doesn't represent the original at all.

Originally Posted by Quoth

[...] but having had to use Google docs in a team I can't see it doing what Hitch wants.

I don't see why not. I've used it in proofing stages, where I've:

• Completed initial ebook/EPUB.
• Convert EPUB->DOCX.
  
  • Calibre or other tools.
• Upload DOCX to online word processor.
• Give author link.
• They proof/do whatever.
  
  • Make minor adjustments to text, add a Foreword, leave comments.
    
  • Answered/Solved comments auto-email everyone who needs to be notified.
    

Then when we iron out all the final pieces...

• I export + do my usual cleanup

treating it just as if it was "a fresh book" file, except 90%+ of the groundwork was already done.

If not much changed:

• The code difference merging is very simple.

If a lot has changed:

• I treat it like a fresh file.
  
  • (It would still be MILES ahead of the low-quality mess originally submitted from authors.)
    

But I mostly do EPUB-First/HTML-First workflows...

If you had DOCX-First workflows, you'd do all your cleanup at that stage, then you'd treat that online version—or a DOCX close to it—as the ultimate "source file".

- - -

From my initial reading, it seemed like Hitch wanted this for a PROOFING stage, and I assume it was to:

• Show author "final" copy.
• Have them comment/proof on it.
• Keep the conversion team+author in sync.

The EPUB annotation/commenting tools aren't there yet, but the DOCX/ODT/PDF ones are much more mature.

- - -

Originally Posted by Quoth

I know nothing about Collabora, [...]

Collabora Office is the LibreOffice-based equivalent. It runs on Online/Mobile too.

Good thing is, it treats your files just as LibreOffice would:

• No mangling of Styles
• No destruction of the underlying document.

You also get:

• Full privacy
  
  • Keeping your documents out of Google's grubby little hands.
    
  • (Can even self-host your own server if you wanted.)
    

And, as power users, you still get full access to the full power of the entire office suite. Not some dumbed-down version that's missing a ton of features.

- - -

Side Note: If you want some more info, see their recent talk given at:

• LibreOffice Conference 2022: "Collabora & LibreOffice: Working together to make Open Source rock"

- - -

Originally Posted by Hitch

He would tell me that he didn't "do" spreadsheets or computers, because that was typing, which is "clerical work" for women. (Surprise, jackass! Guess who survived in business and who didn't? HA!)

Pfffff. Women!!! Who needs ’em?