Comment 42 for bug 578045

LibreOffice is stuck on version 3.6.02 (using the LibreOffice PPA) for 12.04.1. Version 4.0 is around the corner, full of bug fixes and much needed features. No one willing to stick to the LTS stable release will be able to use it.

The LibreOffice PPA maintainers say the new LibreOffice is being adapted to Ubuntu using the latest Unity versions which are not available for 12.04.1, (that's how LibreOffice gained proper global menu support in 12.10, for instance) so according to that information, 3.6.02 is the latest LibreOffice version a FIVE YEAR SUPPORT version will ever be able to run (since Unity is not expected to be updated for 12.04 on any point releases). You can't be seriously proposing this to any desktop user.

I just can't put Ubuntu on my customers office's desks and make a full deploy every six months. I was almost decided to move a 20 seats lawyer's office to Ubuntu, then I had to stop when I discovered that not even the PPA would allow me to update LibreOffice for them (which, as you can assume, is the most important app in an office). Sure, if my customers accepted me to re-deploy every six months I'd become rich very soon, but for that very reason (cost), none of them would make the deal, forcing me back to Windows for everyone. In other words: Ubuntu's application updates policy is forcing businesses (and many home users) to stay on Windows!!! That's crazy.

I would suggest you start thinking of keeping deb package management ONLY for system software and move to some self-contained packages, like OS X bundles or Gobolinux recipes, for applications. Check Guix too, for what promises it holds. Or whatever other solution you see fit. What's pretty obvious is that the current model is out of the question for anyone but Ubuntu hobbyists and fans. I'm myself considering going back to Windows until this is addressed and of course I can't offer Ubuntu to my customers when I won't be using it myself. (I try to use the same OS I sell to my customers; otherwise I'll be unable to see the issues for myself and find a fix even before they experience them.)

Honestly: a better performing and featured Unity, the HUD, a better icon design, running on tablets and TVs, etc., etc., etc. all of that is great stuff. But when the user, after six months of use, realizes s/he can't run the latest version of their favorite app, you're screwed. S/he'll be back to Windows in the time it takes to install it (or call me to do it for them). Then they'll let everybody know that Ubuntu is great but has this showstopper bug that won't allow you to install any version of an app but the one provided with the disk or the repositories, which remain static (that's how people will perceive it, no matter what technical reasons explain how all this works. Nobody cares about the meaning of "shared libraries" on home/office desktop computers and PPAs aren't even a solution for simple users who will only see what's available on the Software Center).

Looking at the pace at which this bug evolves, I don't think you realize how serious this is. I hope my words help you realize that this is probably the true bug #1 in Ubuntu, and that it needs urgent attention.