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A full scale rebellion against Microsoft's proprietary document formats may be in the making, with such companies as IBM backing Open Document Format (ODF). IBM announced that early in 2006 it will add support for ODF in its Workplace Managed Client 2.6. Workplace Managed Client 2.6 is a bundle of productivity software that includes a thin-client word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation application. The support follows that of OpenOffice.org and Sun Microsystem in support or ODF. ODF 1.2 was ratified in May by OASIS and creates an eXtensible Markup Language (XML)-based open standard method for document storage and exchange. Governments have recently welcomed or demanded open formats for documents and software. This leaves Microsoft Office and other software programs standing alone in many areas. ODF supporters have started a global effort to promote ODF as a global standard format for documents. At a recent IBM-hosted meeting, attendees included representatives from Adobe Systems, Apple Computer, Computer Associates International (CA), Corel, Google, Intel, Nokia, OpenOffice.org, Oracle, Red Hat and others interested in formalizing the efforts. Microsoft has offered to release elements of Office to ISO, but an analyst says the basic elements and specifics of Microsofts Open CML need to be scrutinized and proved over time.
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Information Sources, Inc.
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