20 August 2007

Oh, Tell Me the Truth about OOXML

The ODF vs. OOXML battle is really hotting up - a sure sign that this is important. One of the key issues is whether OOXML can ever be fully implemented by anyone else other than Microsoft: if it can't, then it can hardly be called a true open standard. Here's some analysis that suggest is can't. Not that will stop it becoming one....

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Rob Weir has a post on our current state of affairs with MS-OOXML converters. The verdict is not good.

The Cruickshank, et al. paper (along with the Appendix references) is devastating, assuming natoinal body members read it, and then care.

Anonymous said...

I try to resist the feeling of inevitability as I see more and more national bodies vote yes w/comments (Germany! of all places), but considering how hard and how much money Microsoft has worked to stack the national bodies with their business partners, it's disappointing.

I wonder what China will do in the face of their UOF. And if MS-OOXML is able to become an ISO standard, look for all kinds of vendors to race to get their own standards certified using the same tactics. Which, pretty much undercuts what ISO should be all about.

Glyn Moody said...

Thanks for the pointer.