[odf-discuss] Private deal to approve OOXML? More evidence surfaces

[Ian Lynch]

On Mon, 2008-04-14 at 09:49 -0400, robert_weir at us.ibm.com wrote:

> 
> If governments can be pressured into accepting OOXML as a proper ISO
> standard, then they can also be pressured into accepting Microsoft
> Office as implementing that same standard. 

Surely only if it actually does implement the standard. Ok, there could
be arguments about the extent but that seems a pretty high risk strategy
from a MS point of view.

1. Governments already committed to odf are going to just ignore them
2. Wavering governments on feeling coerced might just as easily rebel as
comply
3. Further coercion exposed as with packing National Standards
Committees etc is risking further wrath of the EU, anti-trust etc and
further discredits the company
4. Independent consultants handling tenders might well reject anything
that does not comprehensively implement the standard

When you take all this into account would it not have been safer to have
devised and implemented a simpler XML standard or even just bitten the
bullet and provided odf interoperability? In the end the OOo filters are
only going to keep getting better in any case.

Ian
-- 
New QCA Accredited IT Qualifications
www.theINGOTs.org

You have received this email from the following company: The Learning
Machine Limited, Reg Office, 36 Ashby Road, Tamworth, Staffordshire, B79
8AQ. Reg No: 05560797, Registered in England and Wales.