After discussing this with Frank Schonheit on the mailing list it was suggested
that I request an enhancement for LDAP access in OOo.

The issue is that there is currently no way to populate many of the fields even
vital ones like address1. Since Mozilla does not use them. I'm told that there
are shared components between Mozilla and OOo for LDAP.

Here is my case. I am trying to use openLDAP as an organization wide directory
server. But If I cannot use the data in the LDAP directory in OOo this SEVERELY
limits its usefullness. However if Mozilla, OOo, and evolution could agree on
field assignments. Suddenly all kinds of useful office applications could be
made without even writing much if any code. Mozilla, OOo, and/or evolution and
IMAP would combine with a shared directory to provide a tremendous amount of
flexibility and data sharing site wide (or globally for that matter I guess).

I would suggest using most if not all of evolutions field assignments because
they are quite logical. homepostaladdress -> Home address and so on.

Right now the LDAP connection in OOo is virtually useless except for name and
email. A few small changes and a little coordination between the major linux
players (Mozilla,OOo,evolution) would go a long, long way to creating workable
solutions for collaboration w/ linux.

I know this is difficult because of all the diversity in LDAP schemas and in
their implementation but I do not think it is hopeless. And a project like OOo
or OOo/Mozilla could conceivably have the momentum to get the ball rolling in a
more productive direction.

I consider this a very strategic enhancement for providing a platform for
office/productivity and directory services in Linux (couldn't hurt to have more
choices in MS either).

Please consider this.
Thank You for your excellent work with OOo.

Tom Possin
tpossin@ywammt.org