OOXML From Microsoft, Scares Living Shit Out of Open Source Community
August 30th 2007 09:55
I find it strange how Microsoft’s bid to create a new standard for document formats is causing the Open Source community to respond with empty claims and false accusations. It sure isn’t that different to how Microsoft was acting not too long ago in regards to supposed Linux patent violations.
So what is OOXML? For the uninitiated it is a set of standards set up by Microsoft to allow documents to be portable across the board of software. It’s nothing new, even Open Office has had its document type standardized by the ISO.
You would think given the history of Microsoft’s closed document formats that completely shunned out competitors from being even able to touch it this move would be welcomed. Apparently not, because, well, it’s Microsoft. Can’t trust them, they want to rule the world and they will do it one way or another, even if it means creating Xbox 360 Decepticon.
But lets see why the Linux Foundation doesn’t like OOXML, they list their reason as follows:
OOXML is simply not ready to become an ISO standard
Wait a second, you guys don’t like it because there’s already an ODF? Can’t we just conclude from that you don’t want a competing format with the ODF? If that’s the case then the entire Open Source community is founded on hypocrisy, we already had software, such as DOS, Microsoft Word and many more long before the Open Source community created its own versions.
If we say that ‘we have ODF so we don’t need another one because it would cause unnecessary confusion then why do we have Linux? I mean doesn’t it cause unnecessary confusion that there are multiple operating systems available to the consumer?
There’s good reason for competition, and all their first claim shows is that they are simply afraid Microsoft’s product will take control. But hey what the hey, when in Rome do like the Romans.
They go on, running to their big brother,
So because Google said there is no need for OOXML Microsoft should just cease and desist. There’s already ODF, why make another standard file format? Hmm, why bother competing with Windows Vista? Or Microsoft Word? Or pretty much anything Microsoft produces, I mean, if we have one version of something do we really need another to compete?
Then again, competition is a principle factor of the economy.
So what of the technical problems with OOXML? Yes, they exist, but the ODF isn’t free of them either.
In the end no product is perfect, and it’s competition that drives perfection. The Open Source community needs to adopt this policy, rather than running around crying like little babies, if they think OOXML is useless they should create a superior product, failing that they should shut up and work with OOXML. If it means the end of Linux (doubt it) it only is that because the community that created it stopped supporting its creation and instead decided to attack their competition like children.
So what is OOXML? For the uninitiated it is a set of standards set up by Microsoft to allow documents to be portable across the board of software. It’s nothing new, even Open Office has had its document type standardized by the ISO.
You would think given the history of Microsoft’s closed document formats that completely shunned out competitors from being even able to touch it this move would be welcomed. Apparently not, because, well, it’s Microsoft. Can’t trust them, they want to rule the world and they will do it one way or another, even if it means creating Xbox 360 Decepticon.
But lets see why the Linux Foundation doesn’t like OOXML, they list their reason as follows:
OOXML is simply not ready to become an ISO standard
The Linux Foundation supports the adoption of open standards as a catylist for innovation and to define common frameworks for new development. With ODF (Open Document Format) as an existing ISO document standard, we do not consider it beneficial to introduce an alternative document standard. Since ODF and OOXML are both designed as formats for editable documents, computer users would greatly benefit from multiple implementations of a single standard rather than suffer the confusion, conversions, and incompatibilities involved with multiple standards
If we say that ‘we have ODF so we don’t need another one because it would cause unnecessary confusion then why do we have Linux? I mean doesn’t it cause unnecessary confusion that there are multiple operating systems available to the consumer?
There’s good reason for competition, and all their first claim shows is that they are simply afraid Microsoft’s product will take control. But hey what the hey, when in Rome do like the Romans.
They go on, running to their big brother,
The Linux Foundation also supports the activities of the Desktop Architects and they have spoken out on why DIS29500 “Office Open XML” (OOXML) does not meet the criteria defined by ISO and others for an International Standard. In a Grocklaw posting, Google provided their position on OOXML as a Proposed ISO Standard. They suggest that if Microsoft wishes to create a document format that is better able to address the problems of the many editable legacy documents created in their older proprietary formats that they are welcome to help extend the existing ODF ISO standard in order to add the capabilities they require.
So because Google said there is no need for OOXML Microsoft should just cease and desist. There’s already ODF, why make another standard file format? Hmm, why bother competing with Windows Vista? Or Microsoft Word? Or pretty much anything Microsoft produces, I mean, if we have one version of something do we really need another to compete?
Then again, competition is a principle factor of the economy.
So what of the technical problems with OOXML? Yes, they exist, but the ODF isn’t free of them either.
In the end no product is perfect, and it’s competition that drives perfection. The Open Source community needs to adopt this policy, rather than running around crying like little babies, if they think OOXML is useless they should create a superior product, failing that they should shut up and work with OOXML. If it means the end of Linux (doubt it) it only is that because the community that created it stopped supporting its creation and instead decided to attack their competition like children.
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