07.10.07
TurboLinux Joins Hands with Microsoft on OOXML (Updated)
From the it-could-be-worse dept.
Let’s calm down. It is not another so-called ‘intellectual property’ deal. This one is purely about document translators, but once again it involves a Linux company that turns its back on OpenDocument format, which is the ISO standard. TurboLinux is a company that was mentioned some weeks ago when discussing candidates for Microsoft deals. Now that GPLv3 is out, no company would be tactless enough to sign a patent deal (unless it hasn’t an idea what it’s doing).
From the article:
Microsoft is enlisting Linux distributor TurboLinux to help tailor work being done to translate documents between Open XML and ODF file formats for Japanese and Chinese users.
Microsoft can now brag about another company that supports its ‘monopoly enabler’. Could they sink any lower than this?
In case this ever escalates, a new tag, “Turbolinux”, has just been created. I’ll have to go wash my hands now.
Update: Rob Weir has just identified some more serious flaws in OOXML. It’s part of a series of problems. To quote the summary:
As I’ve shown, in the rush to write a 6,000 page standard in less than a year, Ecma dropped the ball. OOXML’s spreadsheet formula is worse than missing. It has incorrect formulas that, if implemented according to the standard may cause loss of life, property and capital. This standard is seriously messed up. And shame on all those who praised and continue to praise the OOXML formula specification without actually reading it.
Read that last sentence again. Read it? I might as well add here that Mr. de Icaza, who is not exactly a fan of this Web site, left a comment a couple of days ago (again). Whether you know it or not, de Icaza is a supporter of OOXML. He works at Novell.
Highlight: Novell was the first to acknowledge that Microsoft FUD tactics had substance. Novell then used anti-Linux FUD to market itself. 
Highlight: Xandros let Microsoft make patent claims and brag about (paid-for) OOXML support. 
Highlight: Linspire's CEO not only fell into Microsoft arms, but he also assisted the company's attack on GNU/Linux. 
Highlight: Microsoft craves pseudo (proprietary) standards and gets its way using proxies and influence which it buys. 
Highlight: The invasion into the open source world is intended to leave Linux companies neglected, due to financial incentives from Microsoft. 
Analysis: Xen, an open source hypervisor, possibly fell victim to Microsoft's aggressive (and stealthy) acquisition-by-proxy strategy.