[odf-discuss] Google Blog on ODF & Standards

[Russell Ossendryver]

 A renewed wish for open document
standards<http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2008/02/renewed-wish-for-open-document.html>
 2/25/2008
08:03:00 PM Posted by Zaheda Bhorat, Open Source Programs Manager

The subject of open document standards grows in importance not only for the
technically- minded, but for anyone who uses a computer to work on editable
documents. Across the board, standards are crucial. They ensure that the
devices and technology you use today will continue to work tomorrow, that
your DVDs will play in your player, that your calls will go through to any
network, and that your documents will be accessible from whichever system
you choose today and in the future.

Google supports open document standards and the Open Document Format -
ODF<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OpenDocument>,
the recognized international standard (ISO
26300<http://www.iso.org/iso/iso_catalogue/catalogue_tc/catalogue_detail.htm?csnumber=43485>
). ODF is supported <http://www.odfalliance.org/memberlist.php> and
implemented<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_applications_supporting_OpenDocument>across
the globe, and its communal creation
and iteration<http://www.oasis-open.org/committees/tc_home.php?wg_abbrev=office>has
helped ensure the transparency, consistency and interoperability
necessary in a workable standard.

Currently, the technology industry is evaluating a proposed
ISO<http://www.iso.org/iso/home.htm>standard for document formats.
Given the importance of a workable standard,
Microsoft's submission of Office Open XML
(OOXML<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Office_Open_XML>) as an additional
international standard has caught the attention of many.
In September 2007, the original request to ISO was
defeated<http://google-code-updates.blogspot.com/2007/09/google-welcomes-iso-decision-on-ooxml.html>.
After further technical analysis of the specification along with all the
additional data available on OOXML, Google believes OOXML would be an
insufficient and unnecessary standard, designed purely around the needs of
Microsoft Office.

We join the ODF
Alliance<http://www.odfalliance.org/resources/Disposition%20of%20Comments.pdf>and
many <http://consortiuminfo.org/standardsblog/> other
experts<http://www.robweir.com/blog/>in our belief that OOXML doesn't
meet the criteria required for a
globally-accepted standard. (An overview of our
findings<http://www.odfalliance.org/resources/google-response.pdf>and
sample
technical issues
unresolved<http://www.odfalliance.org/resources/google-sample-responses.pdf>are
posted
here <http://www.odfalliance.org/ooxml.php>.)

As ISO Member bodies <http://www.iso.org/iso/about/iso_members.htm> around
the world work on possible revisions of their vote previously
submitted<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Office_Open_XML_Ballot_Results>,
the deadline of March 30th approaches fast. I invite you to pay close
attention, and heed the call of many for
unification<http://www.markshuttleworth.com/archives/date/2007/08>of
OOXML into ODF. A document standards decision may not matter to you
today, but as someone who relies on constant access to editable documents,
spreadsheets and presentations, it may matter immensely in the near future.

http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2008/02/renewed-wish-for-open-document.html
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