WSJ.com – Microsoft Relents to Pressure On OpenDocument Format
Apologies in advance to non-WSJ subscribers — I hate linking to sites hidden behind cost- and reg-walls, but this is a good move by MSFT to extend their Office suite to the ODF format. Open XML was too goofy in my opinion and .ODF is paving the way, especially as organizations such as the Commonwealth of Massachusetts start to push for open file formats.
I remember a flurry of proprietary format protection efforts in the 80s when AshtonTate and Lotus and others were banking of file compatibility as a competitive weapon. It’s hopeless to try to defend such a position — open always wins.
