Created a Writer file (success.doc), saved as Microsoft Word 97/2000/XP.doc. 
Multiple recipients reported that Word would not open the file (Word 2000, Word 
XP, Word 2003). It would begin to open, then hang with nothing visible on the 
screen except the Word toolbars. Recipients had to manually stop Word.

The file had 3 images. Since these are generally high problem areas, I tried 
various combinations of saving without one image and then the next, etc. 

I determined that the third image was the problem. It appears to be a bog 
standard BMP file (can be opened by Corel PhotoPaint, IrfanView, Mediachance 
Photo Brush and Gimp).

I believe I left all picture properties as default, but do not remember. I 
might have reduced its size.

For some reason, I alone was able to open the file from within Word XP. I 
believe the others tried to open it by clicking on links in email clients or 
double-clicking on the file in Explorer. (The others could not open the file 
from within Word, however.) 

When I re-saved the file under a new name in Word, this new file could be 
opened by others. Its file size shot from 427KB (OOo.org DOC file) to 1697KB 
(Word DOC file).

This is either a one-time anomoly or some sort of issue with Word export around 
one particular kind of BMP file...