[odf-discuss] What is actually necessary and found only in OpenXML?

[Chris Puttick]

Excellent question. No idea. I would assume no feature is missing that
would be detrimental; however the answer from Microsoft/Ecma will
almost certainly be centred on OOXML's "wondrous" legacy conversion
ability. It had already occurred to me that this was actually a
problematic and pointless activity (see my ODF Alliance whitepaper for
more:
http://www.odf-eag.eu/news_and_events/news/new-white-papers-to-read );
it occurred to me while presenting on the topic on Wednesday evening
that one aspect of the conversion mentality is more than problematic
when it comes to public administration and regulatory documents. It is
almost certainly illegal. The original document is the record;
conversion is the equivalent of a photocopy and would be no more
acceptable as the definitive record than a photocopy would be. Any
conversion is suitable only for internal use and therefore ODF is more
than sufficient.

IANAL though; can lawyers (retired or otherwise!) on the list comment?

Chris


On 25/05/07, M. Fioretti <mfioretti at mclink.it> wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I am interested in comments and material to answer the following
> specific question.
>
> When it comes to creating _new_ documents in public administrations is
> there any feature in OpenXML the _format_ (not in MS Office) which is
> already widely needed asap by most public administrations (or that
> would actually be very useful and utilized as soon as it is available)
> but is missing in ODF?
>
> The reason of the question is that I have found here in Italy several
> places repeating the "no single standard can fit all needs so openxml
> must be standardized and used too". So I'd like to know how much
> objective evidence I have to answer "there is no _real_ need to use
> openxml, for new documents at least: any exclusive feature is eye
> candy".
>
> Thanks,
>                 Marco
> --
> Help *eveybody* love Free Standards and Free Software
> http://digifreedom.net
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