Barney's Blog

Blog archive

Now Open Source Is the Proprietary One?

Microsoft could have used OpenDoc, the file format for OpenOffice and other apps, as the file format for Office 2007, but that just wouldn't be right. Microsoft wants it own file formats for market control, and so that the file formats can handle anything Microsoft apps need them to.

And so it is that we have OpenOffice XML, a Microsoft format that others can use, along with an open source translator that can convert Microsoft files into OpenDoc.

I guess that makes Microsoft open -- open enough to criticize OpenDoc backer IBM for being closed!

In an open letter, Redmond accuses Armonk of trying to hold back Open XML in favor of OpenDoc. Can't all monopolies just get along?

Posted by Doug Barney on February 20, 2007


Featured

  • An image of planes flying around a globe

    2025 Microsoft Conference Calendar: For Partners, IT Pros and Developers

    Here's your guide to all the IT training sessions, partner meet-ups and annual Microsoft conferences you won't want to miss.

  • Google To Acquire Cloud Startup Wiz for $32 Billion

    Google has announced a pending agreement to acquire Wiz Inc., a cloud security platform, in an all-cash deal worth $32 billion.

  • FTC Expands Microsoft Antitrust Investigation Under Trump Administration

    The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is pressing ahead with a broad investigation into Microsoft's business practices, an inquiry that began in the final weeks of the Biden administration.

  • Microsoft to Shut Down Skype Services

    Microsoft will discontinue its Skype telecommunications and video calling services on May 5, 2025, marking the end of the platform's decades-long run.