Google takes a swipe at OOXML

So - according to El Reg - Google finally takes side in the ODF vs OOXML war.
And - personall I'd like to add - the right side.
Details at Google takes a swipe at OOXML | The Register

Sun ODF Plugin 1.1 now fully working with Microsoft Office 2007

For lack of an MS Office installation I cannot verify it, but this is great news reported by Malte Timmermann

Correcting false statements by Microsoft

Erwin Tenhumberg corrects a couple of statements Microsoft usually brings forward against ODF as their common ODF/OOo FUD in Erwin's StarOffice Tango.

eWeek reviews Sun ODF Plugin

Sun Plug-in Brings ODF Support to Microsoft Office: "Sun Microsystems' ODF Plug-in for Microsoft Office won't usher in an era of universal document interoperability, but eWEEK Labs believes it is the best option currently available for adding Open Document Format support to Office's massive installed base."

OOXML Fails to Gain Approval in US

An Antic Disposition: OOXML Fails to Gain Approval in US

via Rob Weir

Sun ODF Plugin tips

For hints, tips and issues with the Sun ODF Plugin for MS Office, consult Malte Timmermann's Blog.

Sun ODF Plugin 1.0 for Microsoft Office FAQ

to be found on Malte Timmermann's Blog

Microsoft Office users can now import and export to ODF

StarOffice 8:

"The Sun ODF Plug-in for Microsoft Office allows users of Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint the ability to read, edit and save to the ISO-standard Open Document Format. The ODF Plug-in is available as a free download from the Sun Download Center (SDLC). "

Download the ODF Plug-in.

Interview: OpenDocument and the Move to XML Formats

A great interview on Opening Move by Scott Mace with Gary Edwards of the OpenDocument Foundation about OpenDocument and the Move to XML Formats. Good insights on Microsofts motivation and excuses for OpenXML instead of joining ODF.
(via it conversations)

ODF vs MS OpenOfficeXML

So much for the OPEN in Microsoft's OpenOfficeXML, they simple start by locking you in:

from Crushed by the Wheels of Industry | Tech News on ZDNet

But when I read the files in Word 2007 and eventually found the "Save As" entry in the new menu system I discovered to my horror it was grayed out. "This feature is only available in the full version of Office 2007." popped up a helpful little message. "Click here to purchase it." Getting increasingly worried, I decided to try a more desperate measure. I selected the whole file and looked for the "Copy and Paste" option. I might lose the formatting this way, but at least I'd get the text of the essay she'd written.

Copy and paste were disabled in the same way, and with the same message.Copy and paste were disabled. Think about the fear and paranoia that led to that decision in the product design meeting for the trial version. "We want people to save in the new formats. The new formats are better." So much so that all customer choice must be disabled by default. Choice is an optional extra, only available after purchase.

In case you missed it: SAVING (to other formats) and COPY-PASTE are disabled... and they still call it OPEN.

How can Microsoft get away with that ?
(Of course this is only for the sake and in the interest of the consumer ... right ?)

Jonathan Schwartz on ODF

Latest blogpost of Jonathan is open document format - quite interesting (as usual):

Imagine you're a legislator that writes a law, or a doctor that drafts a patient's record, or a student that writes a novel. And that five years or fifty years from now, you want to return to review your documents. Except the vendor that created the application used to draft those documents, the company that created the word processor, has either gone out of business, or decided to charge you $10,000 for a version capable of reading old file formats. Either scenario makes the point: Information always outlives technology.