Format Comparison Between ODF and MS XML (Groklaw) [LWN.net]

Format Comparison Between ODF and MS XML (Groklaw)

Posted Nov 28, 2005 22:36 UTC (Mon) by mikec (guest, #30884)
In reply to: Format Comparison Between ODF and MS XML (Groklaw) by MathFox
Parent article: Format Comparison Between ODF and MS XML (Groklaw)

> The biggest question I have is why Microsoft refuses to support the OpenDocument format, even with just import and export filters.

Very simple, MS is quite aware of the begrudging upgrade cycle they have repeatedly introduced...

That is, you stick with the version that you have and works until you start having trouble opening and exporting to other people (or it stops working on the OS you get without any choice on the next batch of desktops you buy).

They know they sell crap - Gates has said it himself (para - "we did not set out to build the _best_ operating system, we set out to create a cost-efective solution......"

So, when you sell crap, you have to provide some other incentive to purchase... aggrivation appears to be the weopon of choice...

They know that there are an awful lot of people who hate their products but use them anyway because they have to... If they interoperate too well, even with prior versions of their own software, noone uses theirs or upgrades.

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