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MS Announces Open XML Formats Developer Group

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the monkey-see-microsoft-do dept.

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."

3 of 84 comments (clear)

  1. Real purpose by bobdehnhardt · · Score: 5, Insightful
    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.
    In other words, the purpose of the Open XML Formats Developer Group is to provide FUD to undermine the ODF Alliance's real work and progress, delaying adoption of ODF until such time as Microsoft can release a competing, purportedly open XML format, which they will then poison with proprietary "extensions" that guarantee their continued stranglehold on office applications. Anyone not see this coming? Anyone?
  2. Re:I'm ambivalent by BeanThere · · Score: 3, Insightful

    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.

  3. Apple? by mpcooke3 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    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!