What dummy X server should I use with openoffice on debian?

Question

I need to run openoffice in batch mode to turn .doc files into pdf, but openoffice won't start because it needs an X server. My linux box doesn't have one.

Is there some dummy blackhole X server around I can use?

I'm using debian etch.

Answer 1

You could maybe try xvfb

In the X Window System, Xvfb or X virtual framebuffer is an X11 server that performs all graphical operations in memory, not showing any screen output. From the point of view of the client, it acts exactly like any other server, serving requests and sending events and errors as appropriate. However, no output is shown. This virtual server does not require the computer it is running on to even have a screen or any input device. Only a network layer is necessary.