Microsoft Opposes Open Document Standard

What a surprise. What arrogance. The kahunas. Well, you get my drift.

The standards war is heating up with Microsoft opposing an alliance that is promoting Open Document Format (ODF). It is accusing its rivals of creating a “standards conflict”.

A standards conflict? Yes folks you read that right. You just can’t make sh** like this up:

A group of 35 IT vendors and government organizations announced the formation this week of the ODF Alliance. Those backing ODF include long-time Microsoft rivals IBM, Sun, Red Hat, Oracle and Novell.

While the ODF Alliance hopes to encourage uptake of ODF in governments around the World, Microsoft is pushing a rival set of XML formats for desktop suites, the Office XML File Format. Microsoft is working with a smaller group of customers and vendor partners to have its Office file formats ratified as standards through the European Computer Manufacturers’ Association (ECMA).

So let me think about it. Open Document vs. Microsoft standard … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … Ok, I’m still thinking …….

Tough call.