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Is the New Microsoft Office Really Open?

Posted by Cliff on from the a-window-undecided dept.

joesklein asks: "From CNET, there is an article about the new Microsoft Office 11. In summary 'Microsoft says it's opening its Office desktop software by adding support for XML--a move that should help companies free up access to shared information. But there's a catch: It has yet to disclose the underlying XML dialect.' Could this be grounds for another anti-trust suit against Microsoft?"

3 of 485 comments (clear)

  1. Sure, it's XML, but... by phong3d · · Score: 2, Redundant


    <document>
    <content>
    kdjf348o0jOIJ*$)J@#ijfO34ijf9o84j2193
    )#_@#)UJfnwmejh082u-(U@)*#u08ur@)#RU@
    f934J#EJELKJF%GHWI#UJ(@*#)!)@#@)#(@IF
    fijsjhF*(WU(*@U#IOJWEFJW)*OEURWIOJO:W
    </content>
    </document>

  2. Hello DMCA! by Wee · · Score: 2, Redundant
    At least with XML it will not be very long until many software companies and project reverse engineer the XML.

    And these other apps can cut into Office revenue. Which is as good a cease-and-desist argument as any.

    I suppose they could put some weird binary or encrypted data in the files, but that would defeat the purpose of XML.

    It defeats nothing if every app speaks the same binary/encrypted language. It prevents other apps from conversing with Office stuff, and that's probably seen as a good thing for MS.

    Anyone who thinks MS is using XML as their file format for the purpose of being "open" or playing well with others had better find another daydream. They're doing it because it helps them in some way, not because it'll help others. And there's actually nothing wrong with that. They're in business to protect shareholder value, after all.

    -B

    --

    Ash and Hickory, straight-grained and true, make excellent bludgeons, dandy for the cudgeling of vegetarians.

  3. Forget it by TerryAtWork · · Score: 1, Redundant

    MS Software will NEVER be open. MS is all about closed proprietary systems people have to pay money to use.

    Sooner or later Bill will grabe the Internet. I don't know how he's going to do it, but if there's anyone smart enough to do it it's him.

    --
    It's Christmas everyday with BitTorrent.