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MS Announces Open XML Formats Developer Group
Andy Updegrove writes to tell us that Microsoft has responded to the recently formed ODF Alliance with a group of their own, the Open XML Formats Developer Group. From the article: "At launch, the new forum has either 39 or 40 members (the site is internally inconsistent on this point), the most prominent of which are Apple, Intel and Toshiba. [...] Despite the long list of founding members, it appears that the forum is purely informational in nature. A review of the site indicates that no specific initiatives are planned to be undertaken by the forum. Instead, it will provide information and provide a place for developers to pose questions, post content, and engage in discussion."
And how do file formats matter to a company like Intel; they shouldn't care what office suite someone's using, as long as it running on their CPUs, yes?
what they care more about - than someone running on their chips, is making money. and if there is a financial incentive for them to care about software, they will be involved.
It's hard to believe that's how Micronians are made. Why don't we see it right now by having you both kiss one another?
Or you could stop pretending and implying that the average slashdotter derives their opinions on file format standardisation issues from 'emotions' based on bias and ideology, and rather derive a stance based on a well-thought out, rational analysis on the pros and cons of truly open file formats vs proprietary patent-protected formats.
A review of the site indicates that no specific initiatives are planned to be undertaken by the forum. Instead, it will provide information and provide a place for developers to pose questions, post content, and engage in discussion.
So, essentially, they're going to sit around and chat, but not actually do anything.
Now you know why Microsoft products are the way they are.
And as long as I'm here, I might as well tell a joke. So Gates comes back from his honeymoon, and his wife says, "Now I know why you named it Microsoft."
PS: Mod Insightful, not Funny, please.
So, we have no complete schemas (even draft), no technical articles, and no stated direction. We do have blog posts that are great (from a Microsoft technical evangelist).
And yet, we have the following.
Of course, none of this is published on their web site. How do you set up code samples for an XML formate without a working and validating schema?
This entire web site sounds like it serves four purposes:
In short, nothing of note to see here. Move along. This is not the open document standard you're looking for.
Why has Apple signed up to this - to ensure microsoft continues MS Office for mac support?
I can't say i'm too worried about Intel and Toshiba supporting the format.
That is unless intel or toshiba make "Open-DRM" hardware chips to stop "secure" MS Office files from being read by non-trusted programs like OpenOffice.
Sorry, but this thread is still short on anti-microsoft conspiracy stories!
Both Sun and Microsoft have been busy trying to compete with open source by attempting to redefine the meanings of terms like "open" and "free". The Microsoft Office XML formats are not open, because in order to use them, you need a license from Microsoft. The same is true for crucial pieces of the Sun Java language and libraries.
It's important not to let these companies get away with such sleazy tactics and to make sure that both customers and users understand that if they agree to terms of companies like Sun and Microsoft, they accept similar risks to when they buy proprietary, closed source software.
Err, No.
Intel has a lot to gain by a particular file format.
Any company with plans to enforce "trusted computing" hardware has a great deal of interest in file formats, and how to keep them as closed as possible.
XML documents can be parsed using a so called "open" (i.e. Open to Trusted Computing Members if you pay a HUGE fee.) so that documents can become encrypted XML objects that can only run on a particular machine.
If a file format is known, a BIOS modification can be made to intercept calls that the OS on the machine will not know about.
That way, you can't get around the hardware, its burned into silicone.
What is better, if you attempt to break the keys, ala HDCP and they find out, the next time you attempt to update your BIOS they can black list your motherboard. Just like they plan on doing to consumers if they find out a product (TV, DVD player, PVR etc) can be cracked for the encryption keys.
That way, your new 5K server or 5K TV won't boot anymore.
How nice.
-gc
Got Geometrodynamics? Awe, too hard to figure out? Too bad.