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Unification of ODF and Open XML: An army without a general

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It is interesting to witness vocal minority who insist Open XML and ODF become the same format. It must cause them terrible heartburn to know that their recommendation comes against the wishes of the ODF Editor. And yes, Rob, this is Mr. Durusau speaking as "the editor of OpenDocument." So much for fine distinctions.

https://www.durusau.net/publications/wholoses.pdf

Mr. Patrick Durusau is again making his position on the issue clear:

"As the editor of OpenDocument, I want to promote OpenDocument, extol its features, urge the widest use of it as possible, none of which is accomplished by the anti-OpenXML position in ISO. Passage of OpenXML in ISO is going to benefit OpenDocument as much as anyone else. Here are some specifics:

OpenDocument currently lacks formula definitions for spreadsheets. (To appear in OpenDocument 1.2.) Many core financial functions in spreadsheets are undefined except for actual Excel output. That output varies by version and service pack of MS Office. What happens if OpenDocument and OpenXML reach different definitions of those functions?

OpenDocument does not presently support legacy features of Microsoft formats. That will be easier with a formal definition of those features. Without OpenXML, OpenDocument has no authoritative definition of those legacy features. That delays OpenDocument supporting them in some future release.

OpenDocument does not have a robust mapping to the current Microsoft format. That requires an OpenXML that has completed the standards process. If OpenXML is unclear, it must be fixed in order to create a robust mapping between the two.

The bottom line is that OpenDocument, among others, will lose if OpenXML loses.

Covington, 24 March 2008

Patrick Durusau"

Comments

  • Anonymous
    January 01, 2003
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    January 01, 2003
    http://blogs.technet.com/gray_knowlton/archive/2008/03/12/on-harmonization-din-releases-early-draft-of-open-xml-odf-translation-report.aspx Apart from what is published here Andy?

  • Anonymous
    January 01, 2003
    You'll have to ask the author of text, I won't speak for him here... I read this as him stating that after the standardization process is complete, and the BRM feedback has been incorproated, it will be easier to migrate legacy content. For example, the famous "Compatibility Settings" whose full documentation was accepted at the BRM will result in a more complete definition for the functionality.

  • Anonymous
    January 01, 2003
    Hi Rob, the documentation for the settings can be reviewed through Standards New Zealand if you are a member of the committee (or if they give you permission.) There are some sites which have posted the dispositions (search using for favorite engine for "Open XML dispositions.") Brian Jones blogged about one specifically: http://blogs.msdn.com/brian_jones/archive/2008/01/18/suppresstopspacingwp-compat-settings-1.aspx

  • Anonymous
    March 24, 2008
    Hmm, I'm wondering only one little detail: "That requires an OpenXML that has completed the standards process" Completed, really? So what was the outcome? I'm sure many of us would like to know both the completed text of the standard and the resolution.

  • Anonymous
    March 24, 2008
    Hi Gray, I'm very interested in those "compatibility settings" - curiosity really, I don't have any need for them right now. But anyway, is there a draft of the documentation available yet?

  • Anonymous
    March 26, 2008
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    March 27, 2008
    Rob, You can find the complete collection of dispositions on noooxml.org (for your daily phun) in the comment section of http://www.noooxml.org/forum/t-36002/the-2293-pages-of-the-ecma-comments-are-here You will then need to find the specific resolutions passed at the BRM in http://www.itscj.ipsj.or.jp/sc34/open/0989.pdf . It's Resolution 33. This will give you the relevant Responses in the big document. Please let me know if I can help with more. :-)

  • Anonymous
    March 27, 2008
    "The "say anything" tactics you've employed make you a poor candidate for the groups of people like DIN, Rick Jelliffe, Mr. Durusau and others who are genuinely interested in progressing the discussion." Are you aware of the opinion of DIN staff?