February 26th, 2008
Google: Microsoft's OOXML shouldn't be a standard
Google said that after “further technical analysis” of Microsoft’s OOXML document standard the search giant has concluded that it’s an “insufficient and unnecessary standard, designed purely around the needs of Microsoft Office.”
You can file this argument in the “and what did you expect Google to say” department.
Google’s statement adds a smidge of drama as Microsoft pitches OOXML as a document standard in Geneva this week. Mary Jo Foley has a handy FAQ on what’s happening this week with the ISO folks. Mary Jo argues–pretty successfully–that Microsoft’s interoperability pledge last week was really about winning over ISO. Google points to the OpenDocument Format Alliance’s findings to make its point that OOXML shouldn’t be a standard. And you can walk 10 feet and trip over a few OOXML critics along the way. Microsoft obviously disagrees.
Google then makes its final pitch:
As ISO Member bodies around the world work on possible revisions of their vote previously submitted, the deadline of March 30th approaches fast. I invite you to pay close attention, and heed the call of many for unification of OOXML into ODF. A document standards decision may not matter to you today, but as someone who relies on constant access to editable documents, spreadsheets and presentations, it may matter immensely in the near future.
Larry Dignan is Editor in Chief of ZDNet and Editorial Director of ZDNet sister site TechRepublic. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
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