Microsoft's bit to make its Office Open XML (OOXML) document format an international standard has been successful, but the road was far from smooth. ZDNet.com.au has compiled all the headlines that track the arduous journey of what is now known as IS 29500.
News
OpenOffice 3.0 demand crashes servers
Servers hosting the new version of OpenOffice.org have crashed, under the weight of demand for the latest version of the open-source office productivity suite.
Microsoft's OOXML bid: No knowledge, no regrets
Microsoft admits it had no knowledge of software standards until deep into its bid to get Office Open XML approved by the International Organization for Standardization -- but there are no regrets over its tactics during the process.
UNIX group wants money to take on OOXML
A group of UK open-source advocates is seeking donations so it can continue its fight against the approval of Microsoft's Office Open XML document format.
IBM tackles Microsoft with ODF-based Symphony
IBM has launched a commercially supported version of its Lotus Symphony productivity suite, ready to take on Microsoft Office.
Venezuela and India appeal OOXML ratification
Venezuela and India have appealed against the official ratification of Microsoft's Office Open XML document format, bringing the total number of protesting countries to four.
Brazil joins OOXML appeal conga line
Brazil is to appeal the International Organisation for Standardisation decision to ratify Microsoft Office Open XML, now known as ISO/IEC DIS 29500.
OOXML ratification may be delayed after objection
The official standardisation of Microsoft's Office Open XML (OOXML) document format could be delayed after a formal objection letter was lodged. The letter claimed that OOXML's approval process " harmed the reputations of both ISO and IEC.
ODF finally defeats OOXML in document format war?
Microsoft will add native support to Office 2007 for the OpenDocument Format (ODF) instead of OOXML because of compatibility issues — but Microsoft refuses to admit that ODF has won the document format war.
Open Source tool creates OOXML docs for the blind
Microsoft has helped develop an open source tool that translates Word files into a "talking" digital book format, which makes documents easily accessible by the 160 million people worldwide with impaired vision.
OOXML expert claims ODF is defective
Experts have defended the Open Document Format standard against suggestions that its schema is broken, but the critic who highlighted the alleged flaws has defended his position.
Is ODF more defective than OOXML?
The ISO's OpenDocument Format (ODF) is broken and needs to be mended, according to an expert who claims to have carried out tests on the standard.
UK open-sourcers beg to differ on OOXML result
The British Standards Institution has been taken to court by a group of Unix users in an attempt to get the standards body to recant its approval of Microsoft's Office Open XML document format.
Microsoft Office 2007 is incompatible with OOXML
Word documents generated by the latest version of Microsoft Office 2007 do not conform to Microsoft's Office Open XML (OOXML) standard, according to tests run by a document standards specialist.
OOXML just a Microsoft 'marketing tool'
The developer of XML and a former ISO committee chair have both claimed that Microsoft was interested in having Office Open XML accredited as an international standard in order to forward the company's wider interests.
ISO calls for end to OOXML 'personal attacks'
The ISO has called for "personal attacks" to cease in the debate surrounding Microsoft's Office Open XML (OOXML) standard.
OOXML to harmonise with ODF?
The ISO has taken over control of the OOXML specification and started a committee to consider harmonisation with the OpenDocument Format (ODF).
European Comission probes Microsoft over OOXML
European antitrust regulators are investigating whether Microsoft abused its desktop software market dominance in its effort to get the Office Open XML file formats standardised.
OpenOffice may seek OOXML peace deal
OpenOffice may support Microsoft's Office Open XML standard in future, but the organisation behind the open source productivity suite anticipates that everyone including Microsoft will have "difficulty" in making the format work.
Challenges coming to OOXML result?
Now that Office Open XML (OOXML) has been certified as an ISO standard, there is a possibility that the vote leading to that result will be challenged. It seems Microsoft is already counting on it.
OOXML result: Will it matter in Australia?
Microsoft's OOXML document format has accrued enough votes for recognition as an international standard, but one observer believes the change will make little difference to users in Australia.
Norway backflips on OOXML 'yes' vote
Norway's national standards body has lodged a formal protest over the country's vote on Office Open XML (OOXML) at the ISO.
Microsoft OOXML becomes an ISO standard
Microsoft's bid to make the Open XML (OOXML) file formats international standards has succeeded, barring any last-minute changes. The ISO (International Organization for Standardization) is scheduled to issue the official communique today.
OOXML result countdown: one day to go
The International Organisation for Standardisation is expected to announce the results of an Open XML vote on Wednesday.
Australia abstains on final OOXML vote
Standards Australia has maintained its "abstain" vote on Microsoft's attempt to attain international standard status for its Office Open XML file format.
'Shocking' technical meeting may mar OOXML vote
As Microsoft's bid to have its Office Open XML specification made an ISO standard approaches the final deadline of midnight on Saturday, more details have emerged of last month's controversial meeting in Geneva which attempted to resolve technical issues.
Despite irregularities, OOXML may clear ISO vote
Early reports indicate that Microsoft's Office Open XML (OOXML) document format appears to have enough votes to be certified an ISO standard but complaints of irregularities and strong-arm tactics are rife.
Future versions of OOXML safe: Microsoft
Microsoft has assured coders that its Open Specification Promise — a pledge it won't sue developers using OOXML — will apply to future versions of the document format.
UK leaves OOXML vote on a knife-edge
After voting against Microsoft's Office Open XML (OOXML) becoming an International standard last time around the UK seems on the brink of changing its mind.
ODF guerillas rally for document freedom
Twenty-two organisations across 60 countries are taking part in DocumentFreedomDay (DFD) to raise awareness about what happens when formats are no longer supported by proprietary software.
Final deadline looms in OOXML vote
Lobbying has intensified ahead of Saturday, 29 March, the deadline for Microsoft to convince the world that its Office Open XML (OOXML) specification should be accepted as a formal standard.
Ignore the open source hot heads, CIOs told
Efforts to increase the adoption of open source software are being derailed by the efforts of a "loud minority" within the community that have stooped to making personal attacks on those deemed to be enemies, according to one of the open source movement's strongest advocates.
Don't trust Microsoft's OOXML patent pledge
Prominent legal counsel the Software Freedom Law Center (SFLC) said that the legal terms covering Microsoft's Open XML document formats pose patent risk to free and open-source software developers.
United States set to vote 'yes' on OOXML
The US seems set to vote for Microsoft's Open XML (OOXML) file format be ratified as an international standard; the chair of its technical committee said opposition to the file format was based on spite and anti-Microsoft sentiment.
Australia stalls OOXML vote as NZ scratches head
With the countdown on to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) ballot on OOXML, Australia and New Zealand's representatives are keeping their cards close to their chests on which way they will vote.
Malaysia rejects Microsoft's OOXML ISO dreams
Microsoft has failed to garner the support of Malaysia in its last ditch attempt to have Office Open XML (OOXML) ISO-certified in Geneva this week.
Australian businesses won't see IBM Linux PC
After announcing its move into the Eastern European enterprise market with a new Linux and Lotus based PC, an analyst has said it is unlikely IBM and its partners will offer anything similar to Australian businesses.
Microsoft struggling in aftermath of OOXML vote
The Microsoft-created specification OOXML is struggling to achieve the two-thirds majority backing of ISO members in order for it to become a recognised standard, the aftermath of a high-profile meeting has revealed.
OOXML voting ends - both sides predict victory
A pivotal meeting of international delegates to decide the fate of Microsoft's Open XML finished on Friday with advocates and foes of the standards bid predicting victory.
Proprietary past may haunt Microsoft in OOXML vote
More than 30 member countries of the International Standards Organisation (ISO) have attended a ballot resolution meeting in Geneva to prepare for a final decision on Microsoft's contentious OOXML document format.
Google: OOXML makes a mockery of ISO process
The head of Google's open-source programs on Monday urged international delegates to vote against certifying Office Open XML as an ISO standard, saying the Microsoft-led effort poses a risk to users who want unfettered access to documents.
Technocrats rubberneck Microsoft's OOXML
Microsoft's Open Office XML specifications will be scrutinised by government technocrats in Geneva this week to determine if improvements Microsoft has made to it overcome technical problems noted by ISO members last September.
Open source fans offer differing views of MS move
Open source developers and users have always been a sceptical group, but their opinions can shift — for example, their loathing of Sun Microsystems diminished as Sun stopped attacking Linux and started moving towards open source software.
Microsoft goes limp as OOXML vote nears
Microsoft's top executives have promised not to sue open source developers who create non-commercial software based on Microsoft's protocols, but skeptics say it's a ploy to soften its image before the upcoming OOXML vote.
Microsoft CTO: ODF is an 'elegant' standard
The chief technology officer of Microsoft APAC thinks ODF is an elegant standard — if it is used alongside the Redmond giant's OOXML (Office Open XML) format.
Microsoft publishes 'incomplete' OOXML specs
Microsoft has been accused of publishing "incomplete" specifications for its Office file format binaries.
Can Microsoft be trusted on OOXML covenants?
Developers wanting to use Microsoft's Office Open XML specification will need to brush up on their legal skills.
Microsoft: Govts demanded OOXML standard
The Office Open XML (OOXML) document format exists purely because governments demanded it, according to Microsoft, which is hoping the format will become an international standard by the end of this month.
Microsoft: 'OOXML one of best things we've ever done'
Ahead of this month's ISO decision in Geneva on the status of the software giant's contentious Office Open XML format, a visiting executive from Microsoft has said its persistence with the format has been spurred on by customer demand.
Microsoft accuses IBM of OOXML smear campaign
Microsoft executives have accused IBM of single-handedly leading an effort to block the software giant from having its Office Open XML standard approved by the International Standards Organisation (ISO).
Microsoft prepares for final OOXML battle
Weeks out from a crucial ISO vote in Geneva on the ratification of Microsoft's proposed Open XML standard, Microsoft is engaged in a last ditch campaign to convince the wider industry that its endeavours are in the best interests of users.
IBM plays Lotus Symphony to upend Office
IBM this week quietly updated its Lotus Symphony desktop applications with a feature that hints at its broader strategy to use the Web and standards to up-end Microsoft's massive Office business.
Microsoft greases OOXML wheels with binary tech specs
Microsoft is making it easier to access the technical documentation for its older Office binary document formats and will sponsor an open source project to map those binary formats to Open XML.
Report calls anti-OOXML crowd poseurs
Large organisations should consider adopting Microsoft's Office Open XML (OOXML) document format, according to new research.
Schools advised against Vista, Office 2007 upgrade
The British Educational Communications and Technology Agency (Becta) has advised schools against upgrading to Windows Vista or Microsoft Office 2007 because of the prohibitive cost and interoperability issues.
War rages on over Microsoft's OOXML plans
What is it about Microsoft's proposed OOXML standard that has boffins hurling death threats at each other?
Novell adds fuel to the fire in OOXML feud
Novell has said there is no end in sight to the continuing feud between supporters of OpenDocument Format and Microsoft's Office Open XML.
Office Mobile update released — officially this time
Microsoft has issued an update for Office Mobile to enable compatibility with Office 2007 documents.
South African government adopts ODF
The South African government said on Tuesday that it is to adopt Open Document Format as its preferred standard for software interoperability.
Microsoft voted 'Best campaigner against OOXML'
Microsoft has been awarded a tongue-in-cheek prize by the Foundation for a Free Information Infrastructure (FFII) for the debacle surrounding its Office Open XML specification.
IBM joins OpenOffice.org community
IBM on Monday joined the OpenOffice.org community, providing a boost to supporters of the OpenDocument Format (ODF).
Microsoft OOXML 'standards' proposal thrown out
Microsoft has failed in its initial effort to fast-track the Office Open XML (OOXML) document file format as an international standard — but it will have another chance in early 2008.
British remain tight-lipped on OOXML vote
The British Standards Institution has sent its response to the International Organization for Standardization on the subject of whether Microsoft Office Open XML should be certified with the ISO, but has refused to say whether it voted "yes", "no", or "abstain".
OOXML 'tool of monopoly lock-in': OSI founder
The Open Source Initiative's (OSI) founder Eric S Raymond is very unhappy with Microsoft for trying to force a "divisive" and "technically bogus" specification through as an international standard.
New Zealand OOXML rejection 'not final'
New Zealand has rejected Microsoft's proposal to fast track its Office Open XML document format as an ISO standard, but it may change its vote if certain concerns are addressed.
Australian apathy results in OOXML abstain vote
Standards Australia has returned an 'abstain' vote on the proposal to adopt the Office Open XML format standard as an International Standard.
NZ rejects Microsoft OOXML, Sweden confused
New Zealand last week voted to reject Microsoft OOXML as an international standard while the Swedish Standards Institute invalidated its own vote after discovering irregularities.
Microsoft denies OOXML has 'proprietary hooks'
As Australia and various other nations prepare to vote on whether Microsoft's Open Office XML becomes an ISO standard, the Redmond giant is attempting to downplay fears that OOXML adopters will be hooked into the company's technology.
Is Microsoft rigging OOXML standards vote?
The Free Software Foundation Europe has accused Microsoft of "stuffing the ballot boxes" in a vote designed to establish Office Open XML as a recognised industry standard.
Debate rages about the security risks of OOXML
Contrary to claims by the US Department of Defense that Office Open XML might lead to increased security concerns, vendor lock-in and backwards compatibility issues, Microsoft claims that OOXML resolves exactly these issues.
Microsoft's OOXML 'choice' argument squashed
Microsoft claims that Australia will benefit from "greater choice" if local standards bodies vote this week to accept the Office Open XML format as an ISO standard.
Brazil votes against Microsoft OOXML 'standard'
The bid to fast track Office Open XML as an ISO-certified standard has received a setback, with ISO member Brazil casting a 'No' vote.
Microsoft's Open XML loses crucial vote
Microsoft has suffered a setback in its endeavour for Office Open XML (OOXML) to become an alternative to OpenDocument Format (ODF) as a standard of the International Committee for Information Technology Standards (INCITS).
IBM takes Microsoft to task over SOA
IBM has taken Microsoft to task over its service-oriented architecture (SOA) approach, claiming the software maker relied too much on Windows-oriented, proprietary standards.
US state avoids document format war
The US State of Massachusetts has avoided a format war, and will use both OpenDocument Format and Microsoft's rival Office Open XML document format across its agencies.
Microsoft Office Open XML rejected as standard
A US standards body has rejected Microsoft's Office Open XML document format as an international standard, which could further boost the popularity of open source standard OpenDocument (ODF)
US state to favour Microsoft document formats?
The US state of Massachusetts is set to mandate the use of Microsoft's Office document formats, including Office Open XML, across its agencies.
Microsoft calls IBM hypocritical on document standards
Microsoft is accusing rival IBM of orchestrating a campaign to block efforts to standardise Office document formats.
Sun plans ODF translator for MS Office
Sun Microsystems plans to release a plug-in for Microsoft Office 2003 that will allow two-way compatibility with the OpenDocument Format, the company announced Wednesday in the US.
Features
APEC and OOXML - both pointless and annoying
The eyes of the world were on Australia this week as the APEC summit got underway in Sydney, and what they've seen is a city being held under virtual martial law — major roads blocked off, police cars outnumbering taxis and snipers openly hanging out on roof tops.
