Contradictions in Microsoft's OOXML openness

January 18th, 2007 by Nicholas Petreley

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There is a fascinating article on Groklaw called Searching for Openness in Microsoft's OOXML and Finding Contradictions. One of the most relevant comments in the article is "So, they plan to be the only one in the Linux world that can actually interoperate with Microsoft. How do you think they will achieve that? By sharing? On the contrary, they already market themselves as uniquely interoperable, which means they get to interoperate and you don't, unless you are their paying customer." There is also the Novell comment, "Only Novell has Microsoft’s endorsement as its partner to drive Linux-Windows interoperability."

The article aptly mentions that Microsoft is still in court over the allegation that it is deliberately withholding API information from competitors in defiance of the 2002 judgment. The point here is that Microsoft cannot be trusted as a partner or competitor. This adds fuel to the controversy over whether or not the Microsoft-Novell deal is a good thing for anyone but Microsoft.

Having said that, the more important reading material is the article, The Contradictory Nature of OOXML. It explores the holes, the vendor-dependencies, and other contradictions in the "openness" of OOXML.

While I think the Groklaw article is worth reading, I believe the exclusivity Novell has in this deal is a red herring. It's bad, but it's not the real problem. Bob Sutor put his finger on the real problem in this article where he appropriately suggests that Microsoft isn't interested in interoperability, but is interested in intraoperability, which is quite different.

Bob says, "when the software provider comes out and says “we just created a consortium to provide interoperability with our products,
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Home Refurbish Course's picture

We think this is an

On September 30th, 2007 Home Refurbish Course (not verified) says:

We think this is an inspiring article.

новини's picture

stop ooxml

On September 3rd, 2007 новини (not verified) says:

stop ooxml, stop microsoft, stop IE!

Rainer's picture

If you cant't beat them

On June 21st, 2007 Rainer (not verified) says:

It's the old common thing:

If you can't beat them - buy them ... MS extension now: If you can't beat or buy them - join them.

And what will happen then? Can you remember the Trojan horse?

tutoriale php's picture

Maybe this is why Linux doesnt own the Desktop…

On June 10th, 2007 tutoriale php (not verified) says:

As soon as someone tries to fast-track development and try to get Linux working with the biggest IT-monopoly it will be defamed and deriled for a sellout. Please step out of the way of advancement and let Linux flourish.

linux microsoft's picture

me don't trust ms

On January 27th, 2007 linux microsoft (not verified) says:

me, like lots of linux users don't like ms much, there would be lots more useful software, if ms did not have such a large market share, ms is no good for open source

Anonymous's picture

The Contradictory Nature of OOXML

On January 19th, 2007 Anonymous (not verified) says:

Where is the The Contradictory Nature of OOXML??
I did'nt find it.

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