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ISO Releases OOXML FAQ

Posted by Zonk on from the frequently-aggressive-queries dept.

I Don't Believe in Imaginary Property writes "The ISO has put out a FAQ concerning OOXML, but it may raise more questions than it answers. For one, it promises to address problems if they arise in the future. PJ of Groklaw said that's akin to 'selling you a car with four different sizes of tires and assuring that that if you see it's a problem, you can always bring it in for maintenance.' It also handwaves the OSP discriminatory patent promise issues, when asked about contradictions states that some 'may still remain', and asserts that duplicate standards are 'something that need[s] to be decided by the market place.' Notably, the FAQ does not answer the question, 'what the hell were you thinking?'"

3 of 185 comments (clear)

  1. The market speaks! by toriver · · Score: 4, Informative

    ODF: 5+ applications can write the format.
    OOXML: Zero applications can write the format.

    ODF Wins!

  2. Re:Isn't the whole idea of a standard by jsebrech · · Score: 5, Informative

    How was Microsoft supposed to implement this standard in their own products before it was a standard? Once it went into the standards committee a bunch of changes were made - how could those changes have been anticipated.

    The intial version they submitted already wasn't compatible with what office implements.

  3. Re:I wonder... by droopycom · · Score: 3, Informative

    ISO is normally paid in CHF.

    Look for ISO 4217 if you dont know what CHF is....