Jonathan Oxer
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Blog > Standards Australia asks for expert assistance regarding Microsoft application
>> Standards Australia asks for expert assistance regarding Microsoft application
Thu, Feb 15th 11:13am 2007: Linux
Dan Shearer just told me about a request from Standards Australia (see PDF) for "technical expert" input into Microsoft's application for fast-track ratification of the "Office Open XML" format.
What? Microsoft wants ratification of Open Office's XML-based document format as a standard? No, read it again: that's *not* the OOo / ODT format! It's just another of their "muddying the waters" moves: dress up the next version of .DOC with a name that's confusingly similar to ODT, then get it ratified as a standard to bypass all the recent "we'll only allow ratified standard document format" policies being introduced around the world to allow entry of ODT into government departments.
Standards Australia looks to be very much on our side with this issue but they need our help. They're objecting to the fast-track proposal and requesting clarification on a number of points, so this is our chance to submit expert testimony to support Standards Australia's objections.
If open formats are as important to you as open source then please contact Standards Australia and offer your input into Microsoft's application. There's not much time because Microsoft requested a fast-track process (I wonder why?) when they submitted the 6000 page application for assessment.
OK people. You know what to do. Sic em!
Dan Shearer just told me about a request from Standards Australia (see PDF) for "technical expert" input into Microsoft's application for fast-track ratification of the "Office Open XML" format.
What? Microsoft wants ratification of Open Office's XML-based document format as a standard? No, read it again: that's *not* the OOo / ODT format! It's just another of their "muddying the waters" moves: dress up the next version of .DOC with a name that's confusingly similar to ODT, then get it ratified as a standard to bypass all the recent "we'll only allow ratified standard document format" policies being introduced around the world to allow entry of ODT into government departments.
Standards Australia looks to be very much on our side with this issue but they need our help. They're objecting to the fast-track proposal and requesting clarification on a number of points, so this is our chance to submit expert testimony to support Standards Australia's objections.
If open formats are as important to you as open source then please contact Standards Australia and offer your input into Microsoft's application. There's not much time because Microsoft requested a fast-track process (I wonder why?) when they submitted the 6000 page application for assessment.
OK people. You know what to do. Sic em!
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