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04 Sep 2007
Microsoft today claimed that its Open XML data format is enjoying "strong" global support.
The comments come after the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) released the results of a preliminary ballot to participating National Body members for the ISO/IEC DIS 29500 (ECMA 376 Office Open XML file formats) ratification process.
According to the Redmond giant, the results show that 51 ISO members, representing 74 per cent of all qualified votes, stated their support for ratification of Open XML.
"Along with their votes, the National Bodies also provided invaluable technical comments designed to improve the specification," Microsoft stated.
"Many of the remaining ISO members stated that they will support Open XML after their comments are addressed during the final phase of the process, which is expected to close in March 2008."
Tom Robertson, general manager for interoperability and standards at Microsoft, said: "This preliminary vote is a milestone for the widespread adoption of the Open XML formats around the world for the benefit of millions of customers.
"Given how encouraging today's results were, we believe that the final tally in early 2008 will result in the ratification of Open XML as an ISO standard."
Today's results represent the beginning of the third phase of the ISO/IEC process, called "ballot resolution", during which time ECMA International will respond to all comments that have been submitted by ISO National Bodies.
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The tone of this article is somewhat contrary to other reports about the same issue. Read http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,136711/article.html or http://www.groklaw.net/article.php?story=20070904082606181 Are the listed countries just saying 'no' until Redmond makes it worth their while to say 'yes'? -- note from the editor: this story was written before the ISO published the voting results - turning down the proposal to make Open XML a standard. see: http://www.vnunet.com/2198004
Posted by: dogStar 04 Sep 2007
Ug
Open XML is wracked with problems, especially for disabled users. See http://snow.utoronto.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=404&Itemid=372
Posted by: Alex 04 Sep 2007
Unbelievable
I give up!
Posted by: Jules 04 Sep 2007
Editorial is incorrect
I was drawn to this article by the VNU mailout which contains a misinterpretation of what OpenXML is and what Microsoft plans for its future. OpenXML has not an 'Open' standard. It is, apparently, a 'standard' - which could mean anything. OpenXML has 'open' in the title but it is fully proprietarised and licensed to Microsoft. Its *not* open source. OpenXML is all about locking governments into a proprietary document format for the foreseeable future - why else would they be fighting so hard for its acceptance by ISO? ODF already exists and has already been unanimously accepted by ISO. Why don't Microsoft develop this truly 'open' standard - answer: because they don't control it and can't exploit it. Also, telling us that 74% of all qualified votes approved the OpenXML format is nonsense. If this were true then OpenXML would already be accepted. They only need 66.1%. Redmond are deliberating obfuscating the voting statistics to give the impression that there is overwhelming support for OpenXML. There isn't. The reality is that more and more countries are distancing themselves from OpenXML because of the stink emanating from the voting procedures. Note that ODF (the truly Open Document Format) has already been unanimously accepted as an approved document standard.
Posted by: Consultant 04 Sep 2007