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Microsoft's OOXML Formulas Could Be Dangerous

Posted by kdawson on from the who-approved-this-stuff dept.

hill101 writes "According to Rob Weir's blog, Microsoft's 325-page OOXML specification for spreadsheet formulas is deeply flawed. From basic trigonometric functions that forget to specify units, to statistical functions, to critical financial functions — the specification does not contain correct formulas that could possibly be implemented in an interoperable way. Quoting Mr. Weir: 'It has incorrect formulas that, if implemented according to the standard, may cause loss of life, property, and capital... Shame on all those who praised and continue to praise the OOXML formula specification without actually reading it.'"

6 of 360 comments (clear)

  1. EULA? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    if implemented according to the standard, may cause loss of life, property, and capital...

    Didn't you read your Office EULA?

    Microsoft specifically disclaims any damage relating to loss of life, property, or capital.

  2. Impartial reviews by KiloByte · · Score: 5, Funny

    Shame on all those who praised and continue to praise the OOXML formula specification without actually reading it.
    To the contrary, they have all carefully read the checks they received.
    --
    The creatures outside looked from Alt-Right to Antifa; but already it was impossible to say which was which.
    1. Re:Impartial reviews by VirusEqualsVeryYes · · Score: 5, Funny

      Not to be a grammar Nazi, but

      1. "not" should be capitalized;
      2. "nazi", as a proper noun, should be capitalized;
      3. "words" should be singular, as you are referring to one single word, "check";
      4. "im" should be capitalized and spelled with an apostrophe;
      5. there should be a period after "mistake"; and
      6. "cheque" is, if not only the British spelling, interchangeable with "check" -- in an international forum such as the Internet, both are acceptable.

      Please surrender your club card at the next meeting. Have a nice day.

  3. Congress as role-model? by JonTurner · · Score: 5, Funny

    >>How can you possibly fast track a 325 page document, giving the public only a time amount of time to check it, then expect it to be perfect.

    Damned if we know.
    Signed,
    The US Congress

  4. Re:Ok, but... by Actually,+I+do+RTFA · · Score: 4, Funny

    Can someone help me? I want to take the sin of a right angle in Excel. Can someone tell me where the pi key on the keyboard is, so I can type in pi/2 radians?

    --
    Your ad here. Ask me how!
  5. now arriving at Dallas-Fort Worth... by rubberglove · · Score: 4, Funny

    Think doctors and malpractice lawsuits. Texas just put a cap on malpractice lawsuit awards and doctors are flooding there, sure to drive health care costs down.
    "Hi everybody!"
    "Hi Doctor Nick!"