The European Commission is reluctant to recommend the OpenDocument file format, even though the format has been endorsed by international standards groups.
Massachusetts will begin using OpenDocument as the default document format later this year as planned, but it will be sticking with Microsoft Office in the near term, the state's top technology executive said.
A group of software developers have created a program to make Microsoft Office work with files in the OpenDocument format, a move that would bridge currently incompatible desktop applications.
Microsoft has joined a committee that has a key role in the ratification of the OpenDocument format as an international standard.
The Massachusetts Senate has introduced a provision to an economic stimulus bill that endangers a state decision to standardise on the OpenDocument format.
OpenOffice.org 2.4.0 is a free, open source alternative to Microsoft's Office application suite. It is fantastic if you need basic office applications such as a word processor or spreadsheet at no cost. However, large organisations and power users may be disappointed by its lack of features and support.
OpenOffice.org 2.0, the freeware version of Sun's StarOffice 8, is a great deal for small-business users who don't mind browsing online forums for technical support. But enterprises are better served by StarOffice 8.
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