Why OpenOffice.org? Open Document Formats

Jem Berkes writes "In this current article about OpenOffice.org (also covered at Linux Today), I try to make a point about OpenOffice's commitment to open document formats and interchange as the strongest selling point - never mind cost. The OOo developers are putting a lot of effort into their XML format; will this pay off, and will users notice the significance of OpenDocument/OASIS document formats?" This can't be said enough: file formats are what determine whether and how easily data is portable, or whether the user is just stuck.

Why do I like OO.o formats?

[Realistic_Dragon]

So for once the unwashed are comming to _me_ saying 'I can't read this'.

If it ever goes away I shall have to switch back to mailing them raw TeX files again.

Re:Stability

[Anonymous Coward]

An analogy on /. is like a camel with it's head up it's arse.

An apostrophe on /. is like XML in today's software - seldom used in the correct place.

Re:Who cares if its XML?

[Slugbait]

Well written XML, yes. MS Office in XML <doc>A89172BC098123...</doc>

Re:patent xml for Wordprocessing

[ScrewMaster]

Of course they can patent blatantly obvious ones. You forget how carefully the USPTO researches each and every application to make sure that the patent claims are both non-obvious and not covered by existing prior art.

Re:OO in law offices

[Brandybuck]

I'll make sure not to use your small town law practice, because I like my legal documents corrected spelled.

Re:open format != popular format

[TheMESMERIC]

script the .doc with a macro virus.
that'll show them.

Re:OO in law offices

[Anonymous Coward]

because I like my legal documents corrected spelled.

I can see that. Looks like you're ready for the next step: a grammar checker.

Re:Too Bad OO Sucks So Bad

[RedWizzard]

The PowerPoint clone is especially weak: in PP, common buttons like "make the font bigger" are prominently displayed, while in OO you have to hunt hard for the button in the customization menus, and even then it doesn't work right.

Ah, I see your problem. You've been using PowerPoint and it's rotted your brain. Next time, Just Say No.