Most people in a real office don't know the difference between Word and Windows. If MS only support file formats most people currently use they are stuffed with MSO 12 since no-one currently uses its proposed file format. On the grounds of current usage ODF wins hands down;-).
The reason is that it was not just one person but representatives of all the major players in IT including MS that came up with ODF. The alternative is for one player to dictate to everyone else including customers. There are really compelling reasons for adoption of internationally multilaterally agreed standards. ODF is in that category, your open image format would not be no matter how appropriate it was.
If they dropped the support the customers would not be able to stay with them if their governments had mandated ODF in the first place. Their reluctance to adopt ODF is because it makes it easier to choose alternative software that also supports ODF. They don;t like competing on a level playing field but with the current mood in governments around the world they might not have an option.
Actually MS did at one time say they are responsive to customer demand so if customers like the European Union and the State of Massachusetts are demanding ODF, if MS is not lying, ODF support would be a no brainer.
We have set up a programme of certification called International Grades in Office Technology in collaboration with the OpenOffice.org community at www.theINGOTs.org. This certificates basic IT skills with an emphasis on understanding open standards and at the top level the student has to contribute something useful to the OOo project. This means more kids know hoe to take part in an open source project from an early age, boosts the contributions to OOo, provides a reason to install OOo on a school network as educational software irrespective of whether the school uses MSO and generates an income stream for development from certification fees. We are making some money and will give 1000 ECU to the OOo conference this year as well as investin further development. We have 134 Assessors in 10 countries at present but only launched last September so we are optimistic about growth.More information at the FLOSSIE conference!
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Most people in a real office don't know the difference between Word and Windows. If MS only support file formats most people currently use they are stuffed with MSO 12 since no-one currently uses its proposed file format. On the grounds of current usage ODF wins hands down ;-).
The reason is that it was not just one person but representatives of all the major players in IT including MS that came up with ODF. The alternative is for one player to dictate to everyone else including customers. There are really compelling reasons for adoption of internationally multilaterally agreed standards. ODF is in that category, your open image format would not be no matter how appropriate it was.
If they dropped the support the customers would not be able to stay with them if their governments had mandated ODF in the first place. Their reluctance to adopt ODF is because it makes it easier to choose alternative software that also supports ODF. They don;t like competing on a level playing field but with the current mood in governments around the world they might not have an option.
Yeah, its called OpenOffice.org ;-)
Actually MS did at one time say they are responsive to customer demand so if customers like the European Union and the State of Massachusetts are demanding ODF, if MS is not lying, ODF support would be a no brainer.
We have set up a programme of certification called International Grades in Office Technology in collaboration with the OpenOffice.org community at www.theINGOTs.org. This certificates basic IT skills with an emphasis on understanding open standards and at the top level the student has to contribute something useful to the OOo project. This means more kids know hoe to take part in an open source project from an early age, boosts the contributions to OOo, provides a reason to install OOo on a school network as educational software irrespective of whether the school uses MSO and generates an income stream for development from certification fees. We are making some money and will give 1000 ECU to the OOo conference this year as well as investin further development. We have 134 Assessors in 10 countries at present but only launched last September so we are optimistic about growth.More information at the FLOSSIE conference!