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Yesterday Microsoft posted an [open letter][2] (this "open letter" thing seems to be a catching disease with software companies) regarding OOXML. The letter, which is signed by two MS general managers, Tom Robertson and Jean Paoli, claims that IBM is attempting to slow down the ISO approval process for OOXML.
Those who have been [following][3] the [ongoing][4] [OOXML battle][5] will probably shrug and might even point to the fact that Sun, Novell and an international consortium of countries are also trying to slowdown OOXML's ISO approval. In fact the only one interested in having OOXML declared an ISO standard is, predictably, Microsoft.
IBM has refused to comment on the Microsoft letter saying they've addressed the same issues enough in the past.
Ironically, while attempting to point out the benefits of OOXML, Microsoft blows its own cover in the first sentence: "Over the past year, Microsoft has stepped up efforts to identify and meet the interoperability needs of **our customers**" (emphasis mine). The debate is not about what's best for users at large but rather the important thing is that Microsoft retain its customer base -- even when sowing FUD Microsoft can't hide its real agenda.
What follows that telling opening sentence is less an impassioned appeal than a whining plea. Former Microsoft Business Development Manager [turned blogger][1], Stephen Walli, calls Microsoft's letter "professionally embarrassing."
The doublespeak and hypocrisy is thick over at Redmond. Microsoft seems to have already forgotten the anti-ODF smear campaign it launched back when Massachusetts introduced a bill to mandate ODF for government documents.
First there was the Wiki editing snafu and now this, just how much lower is Microsoft going to sink in its misguided attempt to ramrod OOXML through the ISO process?
It's a shame Microsoft has chosen the low road because Office 2007 is a great product, its functionality and ease-of-use blow OpenOffice out of the water. What would be ideal would be for Microsoft to embrace the existing standard, ODF, and compete in the market on the the merits of their software rather than the entrapment-through-format approach they seem to be dedicated to today.
[1]: http://stephesblog.blogs.com/my_weblog/2007/02/microsoft_whini.html "Microsoft Whining for Sympathy about OOXML"
[2]: http://www.microsoft.com/interop/letters/choice.mspx "Interoperability, Choice and Open XML"
[3]: http://blog.wired.com/monkeybites/2006/12/ecma_approves_o.html "Ecma Approves OpenXML Standard"
[4]: http://blog.wired.com/monkeybites/2007/01/more_questons_s.html "More Questions Surround Microsoft's OOXML Format"
[5]: http://www.wired.com/news/technology/software/0,72403-0.html?tw=rss "MS Fights to Own Your Office Docs"
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