Linux Foundation Recommends Say "No" to OpenXML

Aug 30, 2007

The Linux Foundation has taken a clear position on the acceptance of Microsoft's OpenXML format as an international ISO standard. The Foundation recommends that standardization committees in the countries involved in the process say "No" to the application.

Amanda McPherson, Head of Marketing with Linux Foundation quotes several reasons for dismissing the move. In the Linux organization's opinion, it would server users better if all suppliers, including Microsoft, were to implement the approved ISO Open Document Format standard (ODF). This would remove the need for time-consuming conversions between various formats.

At the same time, the statement by Linux Foundation criticizes Microsoft's Office OpenXML specification as too bulky and immature. Additionally, the document format is Windows and Microsoft-centered with frequent references to the vendor's proprietary standards.

More arguments against Microsoft's format are quoted by the members of the Foundation's desktop working group, which includes Knoppix creator Klaus Knopper and Jeremy Allison, who currently works for Google.

Linux Foundation thus advises all ISO member committees who have not yet cast their votes to say no and add their comments. The voting period ends September 2.

Related content

  • Allegations of Microsoft Influencing Vote on OpenXML in Sweden

    The Swedish Standards Institute (SiS) has approved the inclusion of Microsoft's Office OpenXML as an ISO standard. The Swedish Society for Free Information Culture (Förening för en fri informationsinfrastruktur), FFII, alleges that Microsoft influenced the vote via its Swedish partner corporations.

    more »
  • Swedish OpenXML Vote Declared Invalid

    The Swedish Institute for Standards (SiS) has just released a press statement declaring its vote for Microsoft's OpenXML format invalid.

    more »
  • Legal Experts Join Linux Foundation Team

    Two legal experts have recently joined the Linux Foundation team: Karen Copenhaver, a specialist for Open Source licenses and Andy Updegrove, an expert for open standards.

    more »
  • ODF Add-in

    With a little help from the ODF plugin, Microsoft Office can open up documents saved in the free Open Document format. A short test reveals just how well it works.

    more »
  • Bizarre: FFII award for OOXML opponents goes to Microsoft

    The Kayak Prize 2007, awarded by the Foundation for a Free Information Infrastructure (FFII) for the most effective campaign against Microsoft Office Open XML (OOXML) as a standard, went to Microsoft itself.

    more »
comments powered by Disqus

Issue 262/2022

Buy this issue as a PDF

Digital Issue: Price $12.99
(incl. VAT)

News

Tag Cloud

Administration Community Desktop Events Hardware Linux Linux Pro Magazine Mobile Programming Software Ubuntu Web Development Windows free software open source