Microsoft finally playing nice?
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started by: stegustegu
on: 1211409986|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover
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In a recent press release, Microsoft announced it will support ODF natively in the next service pack for Office 2007. Amazing, isn't it?
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Microsoft finally playing nice?
stegustegu 1211409987|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover

A press release from Microsoft now promises native ODF support in the next service pack for Office 2007, while full support for the ISO version of OOXML will have to wait until the next major release of Office. Have they finally realized that their "format war" was a lost cause, and that the formal ISO acceptance of DIS29500 was a victory only on paper? If this is an honest attempt to play nice, it is a very welcome move.

Of course, only time will tell if they will deliver on this promise, but the tone has changed dramatically, and this might actually be a good time to celebrate. We wish to welcome Microsoft to the party, even though they are very late and managed to make a fool of themselves in the process of trying to fight this outcome in every way possible.

Had they only made this move a year ago, they would have saved many people a lot of trouble, including themselves. It is probably safe to assume that it was the strong opposition that forced them to the ODF table.

last edited on 1211495859|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover by stegu + show more
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Re: Microsoft finally playing nice?
arebentiarebenti 1211464698|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover

"There are really two central catalysts for these actions. One of these is the feedback we have received from the regulatory environment. There is a high degree of interest in our working with other software vendors to improve information exchange through the use of standardized technologies."— Gray Knowlton

We knew that the announcement would come and saw the following range of results:
a) Marino M. from ODF Alliance is sceptical
b) Andy Updegrove is enthusiastic

It is important for me to abstain from hypocritic statements that OOXML would be abandonned etc.

Negotiation wise action had the following goals:
1. better water-proof patent conditions (we don't trust the OSP)
2. ODF support in MS Office
3. break resistance against EU Open Standards policies.

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unfold Re: Microsoft finally playing nice? by arebentiarebenti, 1211464698|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover
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Re: Microsoft finally playing nice?
stegustegu 1211474816|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover

the feedback we have received from the regulatory environment

Nice euphemism for "getting fined billions for monopolistic behavior".

But I agree, now is not the time to gloat and mock MS and write "told you so" on the wall. Instead, we should wait for them to deliver on their promise, and offer some encouragement. Nice move, at least potentially. Let's hope they do this right. There are many ways they could mess it up, but I am hoping for the best.

last edited on 1211481957|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover by stegu + show more
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unfold Re: Microsoft finally playing nice? by stegustegu, 1211474816|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover
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