On Sun, 2005-11-27 at 02:17 +0000, Daniel Carrera wrote: > Microsoft is very clever. It wouldn't shock me if they came up with a > way to do that. They shouldn't be underestimated.
Based on past evidence even someone with no brains would realise that. Since MOOX is technically inferior to ODF and will take a lot longer to go through any standards ratification there are really only two possible motivations to try and force it in when ODF is already here. 1. To establish an alternative standard that helps MS maintain its monopoly on Office software 2. To enable MS to do business with the EU and those governments that are likely to insist on open standards To do one, MS will have to keep control the standard which should be impossible if its ISO. They could of course bribe ISO members as they do have a lot of cash. They could "extend" the standard to make Office files based on it but made incompatible with other applications in practice. They have done this in the past so no reason to believe they won't do it in the future. Its this sort of behaviour that has led to anti-trust laws and regulations. For 2, MS could simply adopt ODF but that would mean eating humble pie, and arrogant monopolists are not noted for humility. It would also cut off the options for point 1. So if they invent their own format, at worst they buy some time - delaying tactics are another well established MS strategy. At best they confine ODF and the applications associated with it to a minority niche. Some people still don't seem to get the significance of ODF for OOo. Microsoft rely on this ignorance to maintain their position and to limit the effectiveness of challenge from competitors such as OpenOffice.org. Anyone that really wants to see OpenOffice.org achieve its full potential in the market place needs to expose MS's tactics for what they are to as many people as possible. This a case where you can't be pro-MS and Pro-ODF/OOo. In the words of the good book, if you are hot or cold I'll swallow you up, if luke warm I'll spit you out. -- Ian Lynch <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> ZMS Ltd --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
