Binary package hint: libreoffice
LibreOffice: long load time when connected to the internet. Loading bar hangs at earliest stage.
WORKAROUND: add "127.0.0.1 hostname localhost hostname.(none)" (without quotes) to /etc/hosts.
The issue is that ever since OpenOffice 3.2.1 (NOT 3.2.0), the application attempts to use a hacky protocol to connect to the internet instead of the host's machine for some reason at an early stage during its load. Equally strange is that it only rears its head in kubuntu, as far as I know.
Problem existed since Kubuntu 10.04 including latest up-to-date 11.04, all architectures, OpenOffice versions 3.2.1 through LibreOffice 3.3.1. When offline, the problem does not appear at all. Multiple resolutions, systems, graphics cards, architectures, packages tested, all with same result.
It is unlikely that the software transmits enough information to any resolvable location on the internet to comprise a security breach, but the possibility of erroneously transmitting user information across the internet instead of the local machine may comprise a risk of some sort. Also, recall that Oracle took over OpenOffice at the first version that exhibits this strange, crippling showstopper, so cause for alarm (paranoia) may be warranted, though it is highly unlikely.
ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 11.04
Package: libreoffice-core 1:3.3.1-1ubuntu5
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 2.6.38-6.34-generic 2.6.38-rc7
Uname: Linux 2.6.38-6-generic x86_64
NonfreeKernelModules: nvidia
Architecture: amd64
Date: Sun Mar 13 13:14:03 2011
ExecutablePath: /usr/lib/libreoffice/program/soffice.bin
ProcEnviron:
LANG=en_US.UTF-8
SHELL=/bin/bash
SourcePackage: libreoffice
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)
Status changed to 'Confirmed' because the bug affects multiple users.