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Microsoft Pledges Conditional Support for ODF

Posted by Zonk on from the you-can't-say-grudging-respect-without-grudge dept.

Macthorpe writes "BetaNews is reporting that Microsoft has announced in a letter that they will support ODF as a format option, if it doesn't 'restrict choice among formats'. Citing their lack of opposition to the ratification of ODF as a standard, they go on to say: 'ODF's design may make it attractive to those users that are interested in a particular level of functionality in their productivity suite or developers who want to work that format. Open XML may be more attractive to those who want richer functionality [...] This is not to say that one is better than the other — just that they meet different needs in the marketplace.'"

6 of 241 comments (clear)

  1. Format by freemywrld · · Score: 4, Funny

    A format richer.... with bugs!

    --
    Support a true independent artist - Leila Lopez
  2. Microsoft, fighting for the little guy... by D-Cypell · · Score: 4, Funny

    Microsoft Will Support ODF If It Doesn't 'Restrict Choice Among Formats'

    It is very noble of Microsoft to complain about all these restrictive document format that seem to be so pervasive in the IT world. I applaud them for looking out for my interests and freedom to choose. I have to say though, I am a little worried about them. All this goodwill stuff is well and good, but I can't help feel that until they start to get a little bit more militant about protecting their own IPR and file format, their business will never get off of the ground! :(

  3. This all strongly reminds me of a scene... by McNihil · · Score: 3, Funny

    in Airplane II where the warning light is flashing with a man with a shovel behind a bull.

  4. setSpacesLikeWord95 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    "richer functionality" = setSpacesLikeWord95

  5. Re:Standards by El_Muerte_TDS · · Score: 4, Funny

    Not true. The other tools for interoperability are luck and magic. But they don't work as well as standards.

  6. Re:I've got this nice bridge to sell, too. by edwdig · · Score: 4, Funny

    You can always tell a Java program on Windows because it breaks every paradigm that a windows user is used to. The buttons look different, act different. Menus look weird and act weird. Nothing does what you expect.

    Are you trying to say that IE 7 was written in Java?