Standard Wars

What is the issue? At the heart of the problem is Open-XML, a documentation standard promoted by Microsoft, which is looking for approval from the International Standards Organization (ISO).

What is the problem? Proponents of ODF, another (ISOapproved) documentation standard, argue that “We don’t need another standard” and accuse Microsoft of “bullying” tactics, though the ODF lobby has been pretty vocal itself.

What happened? The OXML standard was not approved by the ISO at a recent conference, but proponents of OXML believe it will be passed soon enough.

What happens if it isn’t? Chances are that OXML, which is the standard used in Office software, will become a de facto standard whether ODF proponents like it or not. ISO approval will mean that the standard will be maintained by an ISO technical committee and not any one company.