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View Full Version : Microsoft opens up Office


earobinson
November 22nd, 2005, 01:41 PM
Microsoft wants to make the file formats for its new Office 12 applications a standard.

The company said it would submit applications to the European standards body ECMA International next month, in a move to reassure customers that they will not be locked into proprietary file formats. Microsoft has been fighting off competition from newer, more open formats, such as XML-based format called OpenDocument, or ODF.

The move was met with cautious optimism by bloggers. While Microsoft is hoping the move will calm fears about its intentions, many industry watchers remained concerned about the company's motives.

Original source: http://news.com.com/2061-11199_3-5966892.html?part=rss&tag=5966892&subj=news

This can only be good for the open office team, the number one reason I hear people dont use open office is because they need %100 compatilibity with word! Now they can have it we hope!

newbie2
November 22nd, 2005, 02:57 PM
"Opinion: The software giant might convince customers that its formats are sufficiently open for archival purposes, but it is not about to let outside parties exercise any control. "
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,1892063,00.asp
:rolleyes:

"It's just a tactical move that Microsoft feels it needs to do to shore up its waning credibility," Hiser said. "Submitting a closed standard to an international standards body is very cynical."
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/249242_msftopen22.html
:rolleyes: