02.22.08
Quick Mention: Microsoft Gives the Finger to Mac Users in ‘Need’ of OOXML
It starts. Vapourware tactics begin to run thin as Microsoft gets that warm ‘done-enough’ feeling ahead of the BRM in Geneva. Moments ago Microsoft announced yet another delay. This time it’s the OOXML converters for Apple Mac users.
The downside is that the effort to fix Office 2008 has diverted resources from the development of the Open XML file format converter for Office 2004. Originally expected by mid March, the final version is now slated to arrive by the end of June.
“Let them just wait for interoperability” is what Microsoft must be thinking here. Microsoft has more urgent things like Windows and ISO to worry about, not to mention Silverlight and that open source ‘cancer’ which they spend a lot of time attacking (usually by proxy).
They once again seem to be using “security” as their excuse. We have seen this done several times recently. It’s like “terrorism” or “child porn” as the ultimate excuses for passing all sorts of laws in other walks of life.
“Security! It’s security!! The most important feature that warrants delay of software under some circumstance!!!” Are Mac users buying Microsoft’s excuse. Does it lack engineers? This was more likely a business decision. █
Is the sky really falling or is the ship simply sinking?
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.
Stephane Rodriguez said,
February 22, 2008 at 11:14 am
OOXML is a moving target anyway. It won’t be long before we have 4 variants.
And in fact, the best part is that OOXML is just a gimmic. There is no Save As OOXML in Office 2007 (and all the applications that Microsoft claims to provide rich support for it).
To me the most troubling bit is the silence around Office 2009 beta 1. Microsoft people will be pissing in their pants in Geneva, praying that no national bodies ask them the hard questions about what changes they have already backed in Office 2009 that they are not telling anyone yet.
Roy Schestowitz said,
February 22, 2008 at 12:16 pm
For context and completeness, we ought to cite:
OOXML Questions Microsoft Cannot Answer in Geneva
http://www.fanaticattack.com/2008/ooxml-questions-microsoft-cannot-answer-in-geneva.html
Participants in the BRM have already been told not to listen to ‘trolls’ like Vint Cert, says Rob Weir. I’ve noticed to-be attendants of the BRM in Geneva entering discussions that I start in USENET. They deny any wrongdoing, which is fine, but they fail to see how the little secretive party they will join has already been ‘cooked’;