Massachusetts Likely To Approve OOXML

Ian Lamont writes "The IT department of the state government of Massachusetts has designated Microsoft's Office Open XML as an open document format, along with ODF, plain text, and HTML. It's only a draft policy, but it sets the stage for the format being given an official stamp of approval by state authorities — and weakens earlier Massachusetts support for the Open Document Format. Microsoft got a big boost at the end of 2006 when Ecma approved OOXML, and again this spring when pro-ODF legislation was being defeated or watered down in six states."

Comments

ob

[edittard]

Coming up later, Massachusets negotiates big discount from Microsoft. film at 11.

Re:ob

[Fred_A]

I'd have some sympathy if the name of OpenOffice wasn't specifically chosen to make people think of Microsoft Office.

I think they did consider calling it "Open Fantasy Strip Poker" to try and make it more popular but that they thought that it wouldn't correctly reflect what the software was about, i.e. office software... So there you are. And it's OpenOffice.org btw.

Paid off Ted!

[gabrieltss]

Microsoft obviously cut a deal with Ted Kennedy.

Microsoft schrill: "Hey, tell you what, we will supply you with 2 years worth of free booze, cars to drive, and a cover story for any women that end up in the river. In exchange you allow OOXML in."

Ted Kennedy: "Really, that's all I have to do. It's a deal! Where's my booze?"