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Massachusetts Approves Microsoft's Office Open XML (OOXML) Document Format

So now all those state office workers can go right on using Office
By .NETDJ News Desk
Article Rating:
August 5, 2007 09:30 AM EDT
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 8,644
In a decision that will distress OpenDocument Format (ODF) fans, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, ODF's biggest booster, has gone ahead and approved Microsoft's Office Open XML (OOXML) document format as an acceptable format for state records alongside ODF. So now all those state office workers can go right on using Office.

Meanwhile, it looks like INCITS, the International Committee for Information Technology Standards, which represents US interests in ISO, may not necessarily be led by its advisory committee and could still throw its support to OOXML as an ISO standard come the vote September 2.

INCITS' executive committee reportedly approved the draft specification "with comments" whereas the advisory committee couldn't muster the two-thirds needed for approval.

INCITS support still isn't in the bag, however. It said in a press statement that it has yet to determine its position.

In the background are rumblings about packing national bodies like Portugal's.

Published August 5, 2007 – Reads 8,644
Copyright © 2007 SYS-CON Media, Inc. — All Rights Reserved.
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.NETDJ News Desk monitors Microsoft .NET and its related technologies, including Silverlight, to present IT professionals with news, updates on technology advances, business trends, new products and standards, and insight.

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OOXML News Desk 08/05/07 10:03:44 AM EDT

In a decision that will distress OpenDocument Format (ODF) fans, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, ODF's biggest booster, has gone ahead and as an acceptable format for state records alongside ODF. So now all those state office workers can go right on using Office.