10.05.07
Corel Serves Microsoft, But Does it Even Better
When it comes to OOXML, Corel is a particularly interesting story. Quite a few years ago, when Corel became a big threat to Microsoft and a close friend of Linux, Microsoft essentially hijacked and subverted the company’s natural route [1, 2]. Antitrust memos reveal a lot more information [1, 2] which Microsoft does not want you to have. Fortunately, copies had been grabbed before Microsoft settled the trial in Iowa (Comes vs. Microsoft).
Nowadays, Corel remains somewhat of an obedient Microsoft ’sockpuppet’. It is blindly helping perpetuate the monopoly’s impact [1, 2]. Things are not so grim however.
In the very latest press release, Corel heralds what was already expected.
Corel Provides Support For ODF and OOXML In New Beta of WordPerfect® Office”
Free Beta Allows Customers to Open, View and Edit Open Document Format, Microsoft Office 2007 Files
Corel Corporation a leading developer of graphics, productivity and digital media software, today announced a new beta version of Corel® WordPerfect® Office that supports both the Open Document Format (ODF) and Microsoft® Office Open XML (OOXML), the default file format for Microsoft® Office 2007.
“If anything, the above is further proof that ODF and OOXML can coexist in the same application…”As usual, Andy plays the role of the peacemaker. If anything, the above is further proof that ODF and OOXML can coexist in the same application, but Microsoft refuses to support ODF in Microsoft Office, despite the fact that it is the international standard. Microsoft does this purely due to financial interests, so the needs of the user/customer are irrelevant (or secondary at best). Why can Corel do it but Microsoft cannot? Is it a budget issue, just like the one we sarcastically mentioned hours ago? This is not the first time that Corel gives Microsoft a lesson.
As many as 8 of the top 10 benefits of Microsoft Office 2007 provide capabilities that have already been addressed by Corel WordPerfect Office X3. Some “new” features of Microsoft Office 2007 have even been part of Corel WordPerfect Office for close to a decade!
Meanwhile, Sun has released a revised version of its ODF plugin for Microsoft Office. No funny business this time, OK?
The newest version of our ODF Plugin for Microsoft Office is available, you can find it here.
We have fixed the installation problem that occurred on some systems, and have made many improvements to the filters.
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.