Derrin Kent

I have not been able to understand why Microsoft would release the “open” OOXML standard where the ODF standard already exists.

Popular theories are:

• they just like to be in control
• because this standard is complex and difficult to implement, they will be able to stifle adequate competition to their own office software

Another, more intriguing, theory for this Microsoft move is that Microsoft needed to establish their own standard in order to compete in a world of “cloud” computing. Read here for this perspective:

http://www.linuxtoday.com/news_story.php3?ltsn=2008-02-22-021-26-OP-BZ-SV

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Despite active protest in Norway:

http://www.theinquirer.net/gb/inquirer/news/2008/04/09/odf-supporters-march-against

ISO have approved Microsoft’s OOXML standard - which means OOXML now competes against ODF as an open standard for Office software.

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