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May 08, 2006 | Comments: (0)
ODF getting cold shoulder from EC
The OpenDocument Format (ODF) may have gotten the ISO's approval last week, but according to a cNet story the European Commission is reluctant to recommend the file format.
Sources say it's Microsoft's drive to obtain standardization for its OpenXML format that may be deterring the EC from backing ODF.
ODF is supported by many applications but not currently by Microsoft Office. However the OpenDocument Foundation says it will release a plug-in for Office to access and save in ODF.
Last October the IDABC -- an EC body that promotes the use of open document formats in public administrations -- said it would recommend OpenDocument, if approved as an ISO standard. But since then Microsoft has stepped up the promotion of Office Open XML.
IDABC is unlikely to specifically recommend OpenDocument now, according to ZDNet UK sources, as it is concerned that a second ISO document standard will emerge later.
That's the "great" thing about standards isn't it? We have so many to choose from. Tell us who you think will -- or should -- prevail in this battle of document formats.
Posted by Caroline Craig on May 8, 2006 07:31 AM
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Oh, come on now! We had two music technologies for years on the same turntable--45 rpm and 33 1/3 rpm. Three, if you had 78 rpm.
Then there was Betamax and VHS. And dare I mention Windows vs Apple OS or Linux?
The market will decide which wins out--but there's notthing to stop us having two different technology standards. So get off the fence, IDABC! Just do it.
Posted by: Ben Frank at May 8, 2006 08:16 AMTOP STORIES
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