Microsoft are arguing that their Office Open XML format is the best standard for preserving Legacy files, when the world already has an adopted standard, ISO/IEC XML 26300:2006 for storing, recalling, and transmitting documents. This existing, approved standard is relied upon by industry extensively, and has brought the world new highly innovative economic giants and the $100 Laptop.

The benefit of any common standard is already recognized, I can voltage a mains power system, single gauge rail tracks, and a common standard for screw sizes plumbing fittings.

This wide-ranging paper from OFE Europe discusses why competing standards become highly detrimental when a strong network effect exists such as found in Web services and software. With so many different types of interface standards, a clear open standard is essential for cost reduction, reduction of complexity and development of innovation. The paper considers if a second, less clear standard were to coexist, how would this impact cost, complexity, and innovation levels. The thoroughly discussed analysis and carefully drawn conclusions outline that the current attempt by Microsoft to have a second standard, OOXML recognized, could in fact, weaken OSI as the champion of global standards.

Discussing technical political and standard issues, this is a must read documents to bring readers into why open standards are so important, as well as the need for a strong standards body to enforce them.

Download Today