IBM Slams Microsoft, Calls OOXML "Inferior" 238
cristarol sends word that Microsoft's accusation, that IBM has sabotaged Redmond's attempts to have the Office OpenXML format approved by the ISO, has drawn a heated response from IBM. Ars Technica has the story. "'IBM believes that there is a revolution occurring in the IT industry, and that smart people around the world are demanding truly open standards developed in a collaborative, democratic way for the betterment of all,' IBM VP of standards and OSS Bob Sutor told Ars. 'If "business as usual" means trying to foist a rushed, technically inferior and product-specific piece of work like OOXML on the IT industry, we're proud to stand with the tens of countries and thousands of individuals who are willing to fight against such bad behavior.'"
we've come a long way (Score:5, Interesting)
IBM used to make overpriced hardware sold at tremendous profit until that little upstart microsoft came along and elegantly used their own weight against them in a classic game of corporate judo. It may just be that IBM still smarts from that or it may be that they've really 'seen the light'. This is good news, personally I'd like to see the transparency of these committees and their members go up a notch or two, too much potential for procedural trickery still exists.
Re:we've come a long way (Score:5, Interesting)
One wonders if Microsoft officials do not recognize their own organization as a "single company". Although there are claims of MS statehood, I prefer such ideas remain in the "jokingly funny" domain.
Re:What doesn't make sense (Score:4, Interesting)
I keep "hearing" the statement but I don't experience it. I use oo.org regularly with absolutely no problems. I use MS Office occasionally with no problems so how is it that MS Office blows away oo.org?
BTW - I have no interest in "reasons" such as the following:
IBM 1, MS 0 (Score:2, Interesting)
Free the OS/2 codebase.
Godzilla had better manners. (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:Battle of giants (Score:3, Interesting)
I do hope you're right.
From where I stand, it doesn't seem that many people are starting to notice anything, and even if they did, somehow I doubt many would be prepared for the cost of migrating to a different platform.
To anticipate the "Linux is free" response by a random AC: yes, it is. The software people use to run their various businesses usually isn't.
Besides, a running business can't easily afford to re-train its employees on a completely new environment.
That's what lock-in really is all about.
Re:Battle of giants (Score:2, Interesting)