MS volleys back at Massechuesetts(sp?) IT

[KingBahamut]

Infoweek is reporting that the plan to eliminate the use of Office by the Massachusetts state government (previously covered on Slashdot) has not gone over well with Microsoft. Microsoft's Yates said the company agrees with the adoption of XML but does not agree that the solution to "public records management is to force a single, less functional document format on all state agencies." Microsoft also states they will not support the OpenDocument format. Looks to me Microsoft is scared their biggest cash cow is in danger from a free alternative. Soon I'm sure we'll see a Microsoft funded comparison between Office and OpenOffice.


External Link
http://informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=170700325

[blastus]

The XML file formats defined by Microsoft and used in MS-Office are not open formats. They are controlled by Microsoft and can be changed on a dime or made not public anymore or be encumbered by patents. Yes, XML Schema is an open format, but Microsoft's XML Schema is not because it is a vocabulary that they control even though the way that vocabulary is stated syntactically is an open format (XML Schema)--the vocabulary itself is proprietary because Microsoft owns it.

This is not the definition of an open format. An open format is controlled and regulated by a standards organization that is not biased towards any commercial business. The OpenDocument XML Schema, like Microsoft's XML Schema, is a vocabulary that is stated syntactically in an open format (XML Schema) but unlike Microsoft's vocabulary, the OpenDocument vocabulary is controlled by a standards body. That's the difference and it is why Massachusetts will not consider Microsoft's XML Schema.

[poofyhairguy]

Microsoft also states they will not support the OpenDocument format.

Whatever marketing monkey made that comment needs to read this list:

http://www.oasis-open.org/about/index.php

[blastus]

That is funny isn't it, investing in something they don't support. :smile:

[poofyhairguy]

That is funny isn't it, investing in something they don't support. :smile:

Kinda like Sony Records suing kids for downloading music when that was the primary reason they bought a $300 Sony MP3 player? Or Foxnews wanting to sue the Simpsons for a parody?

[skoal]

> MS volleys back at Massechuesetts(sp?) IT

KingB, I think it's spelt Mississippi. But yes, yours looks phonetically correct...

\\//_

[drizek]

Kinda like Sony Records suing kids for downloading music when that was the primary reason they bought a $300 Sony MP3 player? Or Foxnews wanting to sue the Simpsons for a parody?
not really, because sonys mp3 players dont support mp3's for that very reason. mp3's are converted to atrac3, which is DRM only.if an mp3 is not DEM, iut is not converted, and cant be played. if it wasnt for this stupid idea by sony, they would be owning hte mp3 market the same way they owned the previous audio ones.

anyway, its surprising(and refreshing) to see that so many people think that MS's format sucks.

here we have a list of 50-75 major tech companies + the state of Mass and the US department of defence supporting OASIS and MS standing alone with their formats. even intel and dell are on that list.

ballmer is going to start throwing tables now...

[newbie2]

Whatever marketing monkey made that comment needs to read this list:

http://www.oasis-open.org/about/index.php
"So, what is this, the two heads of Microsoft? On the one hand, we have Billy the Gates telling us that the OpenDocument spec and standard is less functional, yet on the other hand, we see Gates the Billy giving money to the group to develop this standard."
http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=25933
:---)

[jeremy]

Couldn't they just nuke Boston?

[Mishura]

Fortunately, MS is not a nuclear power.......yet.