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Microsoft Releases First Open XML SDK

Posted by Soulskill on from the appeals-what-appeals dept.

Kurtz'sKompund tips us to news that Microsoft has released a finished version of the Open XML software development kit. Microsoft has made additional resources available with the download. Quoting Techworld: "The SDK includes an application programming interface (API) simplifying the creation of code for searching documents, creating documents, validating document parts, modifying data and other tasks, Microsoft said. The API can be used in any language supported by the Microsoft .Net Framework, the company said. The current SDK supports the version of Open XML supported by Office 2007, which is not the same as that ratified as a standard by the ISO, due to changes effected during the ratification process."

4 of 120 comments (clear)

  1. Re:oh no an appeal.... by plasmacutter · · Score: 2, Interesting

    wow, and I thought I was a cynic.

    I think you have some misperceptions here.

    It's a handful of european countries appealing a decision to a standards body against microsoft over an issue which places the credibility of that standards body in jeopardy.

    The standards body still has the upper hand here. Granted their officials could still be on the MS payroll, but whether or not the ISO is considered legitimate 3 months or so from now is entirely in their court.

    open office and star office are both very good alternatives, and I'd love to see Microsoft try imposing a corporate embargo.

    --
    VLC FOR MAC IS DYING! IF YOU DEVELOP, PLEASE SAVE IT!!
  2. What is the "ratified" version? by Excelcia · · Score: 4, Interesting

    which is not the same as that ratified as a standard by the ISO, due to changes effected during the ratification process
    What is the version ratified by the ISO? They never published it - no one has ever seen it. One wonders if the ISO even knows what was ratified by the ISO. I suspect they were relieved at the appeals - it gave them an excuse to keep on without publishing.
  3. Re:API can be used in any language... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Interesting
    And remember everyone that OOXML is incompatible with the GPL and all open source licenses (of course if you've got enough lawyers you can reverse engineer any format legally which is what OpenOffice et al do).

    ODF is compatible with the GPL and open source licences.

  4. Re:MO2K7OXML, not Open XML by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    a promise that a MS product will follow specs? Did you notice how long takes them to make IE competitive again? Adding tabs took them years.

    But anyway, when Microsoft LICENSES, not friggin promises, a submarine-patent free, open source, ISO standardized format SDK that won't change every two years just because redmond likes to stay in control, I "Promise" I will look at it.