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Battle Lines in the Document Format Wars |
Both Microsoft and the OpenDocument camp are forming alliances to promote their respective formats. |
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Double-talk from Microsoft's Mike Champion |
A blog post from Mike Champion on the Microsoft XML Team really exemplifies the double-talk coming from Microsoft after the Massachusetts OpenDocument decision. |
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First draft of the MSOfficeXML file format has been released |
The first draft of Microsoft Office's new XML file format documentation has been released by ECMA. It weighs in at a whopping 4,000 pages. |
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Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack for MSOfficeXML File Formats (Beta 2) |
Microsoft announced the beta 2 of the Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007 File Formats for MSOfficeXP and MSOffice2003. |
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Microsoft Office to support OpenDocument |
Microsoft has announced that they will support the OpenDocument file format in MSOffice 2007. While I thought it was inevitable, it is still a gutsy move by Microsoft. |
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Microsoft Office XML |
Microsoft recently released (under license) the documentation for the new XML formats used by Microsoft Office 2003. This is why I think there has not been much uptake on it so far. |
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Microsoft Office XML Final Draft is Released |
The final draft of the ECMA standard for Microsoft's Office XML file formats has been released. |
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Microsoft submits the new MSOfficeXML file formats to ECMA |
Microsoft has decided to submit the new MSOfficeXML file formats to ECMA. They also are tweaking the licensing to try to appease customers that want an "pen"standard. I am somewhat skeptical. |
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Microsoft Tools for MSOfficeXML |
Microsoft has released several new tools for their new MSOfficeXML file formats that are included in MSOffice 2007. |
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Minnesota proposes law to preserve state documents |
The proposed Preservation of State Documents Act mandates an open and interoperable file format for all government documents. Seems like a no-brainer to me, but I'm sure Microsoft will try to derail it. Via Suzanne M. Fischer. |
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MSOfficeXML: Does long-term viability matter? |
Brian Jones's recent post Does tag size matter? points out the contradictions inherent in Microsoft's efforts to push the use of its new MSOfficeXML file formats. |
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MSOfficeXML fragmentation |
Joel Spolsky talks about how the decision to end VBA support in MSOffice for the Mac. Joel is right when he says it comes down to the cost/benefit analysis. When there is competition and money at stake, solutions can be found. When you have a captive audience, well, the sheep just have to understand.
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MSOfficeXML ISO Standardization Saga |
The first round in the ISO standardization of Microsoft's new Office file formats in finally over: ISO 29500. The process was messy and complicated, with lots of conflicting claims, so I want to go over how I think the different players faired.
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MSOfficeXML Markup Compatibility |
Interesting article from Wouter van Vugt on MSOfficeXML's Markup Compatibility which is the plan for how future versions will retain backward-compatibility. |
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Office 2003 XML |
O'Reilly page with a sample chapter.
Simon St Laurent's writings |
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Strange ?proprietary? inclusions in MSOfficeXML? |
While reading an article from Doug Mahugh on MSOfficeXML packaging/file structure, I noticed a troubling section entitled "lternative Format Import Parts: AFChunks" His description makes them sound like they are necessary for backward compatiblity, but that they will not be fully documented. |
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Texas bill requiring open format |
A new bill introduced in Texas would require use of an open format for state documents. The definition of "pen"is worth reading. Via Sam Hiser via Slashdot. |
