Slashdot Mirror
Microsoft takes on PDF
bhhenry writes "Linux Format reports on a new Microsoft PDF-killer technology to be included in Office 11, called XDocs. From the article: "Adobe's stock took an immediate hit, and some analysts went so far as to compare Adobe to erstwhile MS competitor Netscape.""
People are really paranoid.
They could always use ghostscript :)
Homer's Advice: Never swallow anything bigger than your fist!
the first thing Bill Gates did when he got on the internet was to surf around looking to see whether the document files were in Microsoft formats. He wasn't happy with the number of PDFs he found.
No doubt they want to completely kill off PDF (but delayed atempting because of the trial): an important standardised format which can be read on any OS doesn't suit Microsoft. They will want to replace it with something which can be read on Windows & Macintosh and nothing else.
It's time that there is a free PDF clone out there. Lets start work.
The question is, will Microsoft invent their own "standard" brand of XML. I suppose they could follow the XML spec, but then again I don't hear any pigs flying overhead at the moment.....
I Am My Own Worst Enemy
MS Xdocs
MS eXchange
MS Xbox
MS Windows XP
What next?
MS Xwindow?
MS Xnotfree86?
I'll do it for cheesy poofs.
>blockquote>I have to go and install some v.slow and large application to load them.
How is this any different from Word Documents?
At least with Microsoft involved, we'll never have to worry about truly unbreakable copy protection in PDFs!
Dupe posts are
REDMOND - Software giant Microsoft announced today that it would introduce a document sharing technology supporting several platforms, including Linux and other variants of Unix.
Code-named XFud, the technology will allow a propaganda document written using Microsoft Office on Windows XP to be easily opened by a Linux user. "We realized that we need to reach a wider audience with our FUD, and XFud will be the key to that," said XFud product manager Chuck Spittle. "We're anticipating 90% industry acceptance within 18 months."
Mr. Spittle brushed aside criticisms of a controversial feature of XFud known as "XObey". The technology is said to greatly enhance a reader's memory and understanding of online documents by altering the monitor's refresh rate, causing mild hypnosis while reading. "Most people zone out in front of the computer anyway", said Spittle. "We're just going to use that zone-out time in a productive way."
And now, Ladys and Gentlemen,
/., or whatever?
"...a new Microsoft PDF-killer technology..."
PDF-Killer. Yeah! New Technology! WOOOOP! Developers, developers, developers! Yeah. GIVE IT UP FOR ME! Dig it. WHO TOLD YOU TO SIT DOWN??? *hopping, screeching, headbutting and making satan-finger-sighns*
Dear Stockbrokers, M$ CEOs and Marketeers, what ever you smoked, don't ever offer me anything of it.
"PDF-Killer"...I just don't believe all this. Is this just me or the world or
We suffer more in our imagination than in reality. - Seneca
... and I wouldn't be surprised if you haven't violated one of their famous EULAs right there ... ;-)
can anyone remember the last time they actually came up with something innovative ?
Yes, I can.
They invented the gui. no wait...
They invented the PDA. no wait...
They invented the little 'x' in the corner to close the window. no wait...
They invented the mouse. no wait...
They invented the task bar. no wait...
They invented a multi-user OS. no wait...
They invented their IP stack. no wait...
They invented multi-media on the computer. no wait...
They invented the internet browser. no wait...
They invented new ways to extend monopolies and even when busted they never get punished. They only have to promise not to break the law in the same way in the future.
YUP, that is what they invented.
SSSHHHH! Don't spoil the slashdot fud tantrum! Geeze, next you'll be saying you can turn off palladium, and that you don't _have_ to listen to celine dion, even if you own a mac.
Send lawyers, guns, and money!
And you can't explain 'Step 3' because that would be illegal under the DMCA.
You cannot, however, get Adobe Acrobat 5.x for free from Adobe's website (to be able to edit files). Nor is there another free utility (that I know about at least) that lets you edit existing PDF files.
Furthermore, Adobe Acrobat Reader does not kill its process when you exit. It happily hangs around eating up your memory, which makes it a pain in the ass to use on older computers without 74 gigafloppy interweb RAMs of memory (that's technical talk for "a lot of memory" by the way).
I think that if Apple or a third party came up with a non-Adobe solution for a PDF-like document, that could easily kill Microsoft's idea. Or, you can create confusion by offering so many choices that the user just says "F- that! I'll just stick with what I have."
Also, the original's story comparison of this to IE vs. Netscape is a bit faulty. There's no real reason for Joe McRegularUser to have both Internet Explorer and Netscape. Both will allow him to check NBA scores and hot asian teen pix. However, unless this Microsoft application can now handle PDF files as well (my winword.exe only spits out gibberish), AAR will always be necessary. It's kind of akin to me really really hating RealNetworks, but still having bloated GUIware like RealPlayer installed because there's no other real option (pun intended). Just because I have the new XCrap.net document editor, doesn't mean that I don't need Adobe Acrobat Reader.
My solution to this whole big mess? Do what warez kiddies do. Just releases everything in
Of course Microsoft would write back and say that now Edit.com will be integrated into Office, Windows Media Player, and Microsoft Soccer.
Small potatoes make the steak look bigger.
Step 3 is obviously Profit!
All together now...
I Pledge Allegiance
To the Flag
That Appears on my Desktop Startup Screen.
And to the Monopoly
For Which it Stands;
One Operating System
Over All,
Inescapable,
With Freedom and Privacy for none.
(Sorry, couldn't resist. Feel free to mod me down.)
Beta sux! Join the Slashcott! http://hardware.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=4760465&cid=46173047
What's the point? Everyone knows that Word documents are the only interchangeable document format you'll ever need.
-- Ed Avis ed@membled.com
Shop Owner: We sell forbidden objects from places men fear to tread. We also sell frozen yogurt, which I call "Frogurt"!
Homer tells the owner that he is looking for a present for his son's birthday. The owner hands him a talking Krusty doll.
Shop Owner: Take this object, but beware it carries a terrible curse!
Homer: [worried] Ooooh, that's bad.
Shop Owner: But it comes with a free Frogurt!
Homer: [relieved] That's good.
Shop Owner: The Frogurt is also cursed.
Homer: [worried] That's bad.
Shop Owner: But you get your choice of topping!
Homer: [relieved] That's good.
Shop Owner: The toppings contains Potassium Benzoate.
Homer: [stares]
Shop Owner: That's bad.
Homer: Can I go now?
sounds very much like Xwindows. i might get confused. many people might be confused. SUE THEM SUE THEM ALL!
Wow! Another virus vector!!! Who said innovative technology is dull???
What do you mean? Why, just the other day it took me only three hours to pick just the right font (I went with Comic Sans) for the PowerPoint presentation I may be giving (time permitting) to my peers in middle management during our half day "Effective Use of Bullet Points, Bold, and Underlining" seminar.
I can't wait for next week's "Attaching Word Docs with Large Embedded Images to an Email" class!!!
the court system will fix it
they will make sure that mikey plays nice
er um, well..........maybe
er um, well..........they should
er um, well..........nvm
Linux Format reports on a new Microsoft PDF-killer technology to be included in Office 11, called XDocs.
Why doesn't Microsoft avoid the confusion of a plethora of names with "X" in them and just start calling all of their products "X". Everyone should. "X reports on a new X X-killer technology to be included in X, called X." Of course, it will never run on X.
You forgot:
-????
-Profit!
I'm not just making a stale joke here, you've missed the step where MS actually makes large sums of money.
Funny because I see more Apple ads on TV than MS ads. Actually I rarely see MS ads on TV.
They have a lot of power, so what? The government have a lot of power to and I don't see anyone complaining. Sony have a lot of power to.
I'm sure MS stock goes down when they announce that Linux was deployed in such or such huge organisation instead of Windows.