Win for OpenDocument
The big news on the OpenOffice front is Massachusetts’ decision to insist that all state documents be authored using the OpenDocument file format. There is predictable grumbling from Redmond about the decision (and frankly FUD from people that ought to know bettter), but I think David Wheeler explains the decision quite well.
This is hugely important. It only takes a few governments to insist on open file formats before they — and more specifically OD — become the norm. And OD will be important for higher education too, particularly once the spec incorporates the already approved citation coding improvements that are embodied in the cite schema.
As for Microsoft, they have two choices: open their file formats (e.g. submit them to a standards body, and remove any legal restrictions) to stem the tide toward OD, or add the ability to read and write OD to its suite.
[...] So awhile back I wrote regarding their XML file formats: As for Microsoft, they have two choices: open their file formats (e.g. submit them to a standards body, and remove any legal restrictions) to stem the tide toward OD, or add the ability to read and write OD to its suite. [...]