Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Microsoft Office Formats Not Really Being Opened

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the keep-an-eye-on-the-birdie dept.

Contradicting this earlier article claiming otherwise, smith_barney writes "Contrary to reports, Microsoft is not opening up its proprietary Office XML schemas. Essentially, the state of Massachusetts is simply repositioning what it considers an 'open format.' According to a report in BetaNews, Microsoft told the state it would ease licensing restrictions, but only for 'end users who merely open and read government documents.' This hasn't stopped Microsoft from tooting its horn, but Jupiter Research senior analyst Joe Wilcox says, 'Buzz about so-called open formats is little more than PR FUD.'"

2 of 310 comments (clear)

  1. Re:OpenOffice.org by mboverload · · Score: -1, Troll
    OpenOffice is a pretty nifty suite. In fact, I perfer it when I am writing standard papers due to its word completion. However, do anything advanced in layout and it kind of falls apart.

    I also dont like how it doesn't automatically save in .doc or have an option to do so. All my documents have to be in doc format because of the layout issues and interoperability between Office and OpenOffice.

  2. Calendar mistake by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    Dear Slashdot,

    When you announced the opening of Microsoft Office 2003 file format yesterday, I think you wasted some very valuable material for April 1st. Now, you're forced to deny what was previousely published on /.'s home page.

    Please be more cautious with this kind of story. I don't think you may find some of them so easily en April 1st...