Having it your way
May 21st, 2008 by John Dragoon
Last February 21 I blogged about Microsoft’s announcement on a new set of interoperability principles. In the announcement Microsoft declared a broad-reaching set of changes across both their business and technology practices, all of which were intended to increase the openess of their products and drive greater interoperability. As I said at the time, we were encouraged by the announcement and in favor of any technology vendor working towards the broad customer agenda of choice. Choice enabled by open standards and interoperabilty.
I also wrote at the time that while we were both supportive and encouraged, we would judge the long term impact of the announcement based on the actions taken and delivered. Well earlier today Microsoft “walked the walk” and announced what we believe is a major win for choice – specifically for those seeking to leverage open standards in office applications via the Open Document Format. And despite what you may or may not think about Microsoft’s intentions, you have to applaud the follow through and commitment they are displaying in their support for ODF and interoperability at large.
So what exactly was announced today? The two most interesting items from my perspective are:
1. Microsoft’s announcement to add support for the Open Document Format (ODF) 1.1 in the next service pack for Office – SP2 scheduled for 1st half 2009 and
2. Microsoft’s intentions to increase its participation with the community and help maintaining ODF by joining Oasis, the community focused on creating an open, XML-based file format specification for office applications
Novell has been a long time contributor and leader in promoting the Open Document Format as the preferred standard for office applications. We believe cross platform document interoperability between openoffice.org and Microsoft office is key to the long term growth and adoption of Linux and openoffice.org. We’re proud of our work in the Document Interoperability Initiative, the Interop Vendor Alliance and our direct collaboration with Microsoft in our Interoperability Lab. Having Microsoft support the format natively in their application can only be viewed as a positive step towards the choice that all commercial and public sector customers are seeking. Actively participating in the dialog and development of interoperability through participation in Oasis and the community at large is equally positive.
Helen Keller once said, “It’s a terrible thing to see and have no vision”.
We’re staking our reputation and promise on interoperability and Making IT Work as One. We know delivering on this promise will take more than Novell and we welcome all partners and vendors as active participants to this mission.
Today’s announcement only strengthens this vision.
John