GNOME and OOXML

"One should not overlook another important component in this situation: 
the fact that OpenDocument is not the final answer to document formats. 
Instead, it seems that the level of criticism of this format is growing, 
and that development of document formats will have to continue into the 
future. We do not, in other words, have all the answers in this area."

I've heard this said three times in three different places today already. 
And it rings false; it sounds fair and objective, but is little more than 
meme-repeating. It also claims something about ODF that is not true: 
namely that it is positioned as the definitive, finished document format 
that will remain the same unto the ages of ages.

In reality, ODF is evolving, within the standards process, with input 
from everyone involved. Look at the way KOffice is genuinely innovating 
within the ODF file format. Of course, if, as in the news.com article 
quoted above, your definition of "meeting business needs" is 
interoperating with Microsoft, then ODF won't work for you. But that is 
not a fault of the standard: it is a conscious choice on Microsoft's 
part. And yes, HTML tables are different from wordprocessor tables. 

But in the end, splintering effort between ODF, CDF and OOXML is exactly 
what will mean having to suffer locked-down documents for the next 
decade. Trying to implement OOXML is simply impossible for anyone, even 
for Microsoft (since their own applications do not follow their own 
standard). Trying to implement ODF is feasible for us.