New Zealand Votes Against Microsoft OOXML
The following story reports that New Zealand has voted against Microsoft OOXML being fast tracked as ISO certified. ISO certification would provide a clear and stable definition of requirements for organisations, such as software vendors, implementing the standard and allow the technology to be further adopted.
It is not just New Zealand that is raising questions about OOXML so this is good news for the other competing Open Document Format (ODF), also XML based, which is being championed by a number of large organisations including Sun Microsystems, IBM and Novell.
It seems at this stage there is no consensus on what will be the de facto XML based standard for documents. Unfortunately, like any technology with competing formats - BluRay vs HDVD - this is probably going to be bad for consumers if a clear winner does not emerge.
Follow up:
Results of the vote from national bodies came in with only 53% support; a two thirds majority was required for fast track status. The full vote from all member countries was much closer - requiring a three fourths majority - with 74% voting in favour of the standard. Further reports on the votes are available at Ars Technica and Wired.
It is not just New Zealand that is raising questions about OOXML so this is good news for the other competing Open Document Format (ODF), also XML based, which is being championed by a number of large organisations including Sun Microsystems, IBM and Novell.
It seems at this stage there is no consensus on what will be the de facto XML based standard for documents. Unfortunately, like any technology with competing formats - BluRay vs HDVD - this is probably going to be bad for consumers if a clear winner does not emerge.
Follow up:
Results of the vote from national bodies came in with only 53% support; a two thirds majority was required for fast track status. The full vote from all member countries was much closer - requiring a three fourths majority - with 74% voting in favour of the standard. Further reports on the votes are available at Ars Technica and Wired.
posted by Nicholas Hadlee at
9:27 AM
0 Comments
