Linux Foundation Recommends Say "No" to OpenXML
The Linux Foundation has taken a clear position on the acceptance of Microsoft's OpenXML format as an international ISO standard. The Foundation recommends that standardization committees in the countries involved in the process say "No" to the application.
Amanda McPherson, Head of Marketing with Linux Foundation quotes several reasons for dismissing the move. In the Linux organization's opinion, it would server users better if all suppliers, including Microsoft, were to implement the approved ISO Open Document Format standard (ODF). This would remove the need for time-consuming conversions between various formats.
At the same time, the statement by Linux Foundation criticizes Microsoft's Office OpenXML specification as too bulky and immature. Additionally, the document format is Windows and Microsoft-centered with frequent references to the vendor's proprietary standards.
More arguments against Microsoft's format are quoted by the members of the Foundation's desktop working group, which includes Knoppix creator Klaus Knopper and Jeremy Allison, who currently works for Google.
Linux Foundation thus advises all ISO member committees who have not yet cast their votes to say no and add their comments. The voting period ends September 2.
Issue 14: Raspberry Pi Handbook/Special Editions
Tag Cloud
News
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SCO Rises from the Swamp
Longtime litigator revives an ancient suit against IBM alleging Linux infringes on Unix copyrights.
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UberStudent Project Releases UberStudent 3.0
Specialty distro keeps the focus on advanced learning.
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openSUSE Conference Approaches
The openSUSE Conference will be held July 18-22, 2013, at the Olympic Museum in Thessaloniki, Greece.
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Drupal.org Hacked
Security breached at home sites of the CMS project.
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Oracle Takes Action on Java Security
Lead Java developer vows policy changes and more attention to fixing problems.
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Google and NASA Partner in Quantum Computing Project
Vendor D-Wave scores big with a sale to NASA's Quantum Intelligence Lab.
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Mageia Project Announces Mageia 3 Linux
Many package updates and Steam integration highlight the latest from the Mandriva-based community Linux.
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FSF Outs the World Wide Web Consortium over DRM Proposal
Richard Stallman calls for the W3C to remain independent of vendor interests.
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Debian 7.0 Debuts
The new release supports nine architectures, 73 human languages, and zero non-Free components.
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Alpha Version of Fedora 19 Released
Fedora developers release the first alpha version of Fedora 19, known as Schrödinger’s Cat, for general testing. The final release is expected in July 2013.

