Microsoft Challenges Massachusetts on Open-Format Plan (eWeek)

Microsoft Challenges Massachusetts on Open-Format Plan (eWeek)

Posted Sep 16, 2005 17:38 UTC (Fri) by khim (subscriber, #9252)
In reply to: Microsoft Challenges Massachusetts on Open-Format Plan (eWeek) by kfox
Parent article: Microsoft Challenges Massachusetts on Open-Format Plan (eWeek)

Yes, but here IETF rules will declare OpenDocument format right choice. Hands down. It's quite simple, really.

MS's new format:
1. Robust, clever, open (or so Microsoft claims), but... never tested in practice.
2. There are only one codebase in development with promised support for this standard.

OpenDocument:
1. Open and works.
2. Has at least four independent implementations: AbiWord, KOffice, OOo and TextMaker

Conclusion ? Easy: we have working interoperable code on one side and a lot of hot air on the other side (noone can be sure if MS's XML will be interoperable: you need two independent implementations to claim that - it's IETF rule!). Let's concentrate on working code and leave hot air behind till at least two independent interoperable implementations will exist, shell we ?

Not all ISO-developed standards are bad (think C++, for example). Some are better, some are worse, but OpenDocument is clearly developed in IETF-like fashing...

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