Alan Baker wrote:
In article <BcSdnQ_LUIe79RLenZ2dnUVZ_sidnZ2d@comcast.com>, "Michael J. Mahon" <mjmahon@aol.com> wrote:Local Account wrote:Think you won't see this propaganda tidbit? Microsoft Office Open XML will be submitted to Ecma with the support of Apple Computer! Microsoft couldn't pray for better PR. I don't understand Apple Computer's decision to stand by Microsoft in it's bid to get Massachusetts to standardize on Microsoft-centric vaporware. Why not instead affirm it's support for the OASIS OpenDocument Format, a global standard that is here now. This standard levels the field for all players involved, including Microsoft. The management at IBM has it's priorities straight and understands that public documents should not be solely controlled by two-time convicted felons.Jeez, get a life. XML is an excellent way of standardizing data formats for interchange, with a long tradition of open specification, and lots of public tools for its parsing and manipulation.Kerberos was an excellent way of standardizing authentication too...
I agree. Apparently, standard is only better when there's not some way to make more money by being non-standard. And every major computer manufacturer is thoroughly tainted by this sin. Latest example: DVD-HD vs. Blu-Ray. The customer wants a standard (single) solution that is "good enough" and, hopefully, makes it easy to provide a single box that plays both old and new disks. The manufacturers want to "win" and have the "other half" pay them licensing fees. It has nothing to do with "the better technology" in the long run. Ah well, that's enough OT for today... ;-) -michael Music synthesis for 8-bit Apple II's! Home page: http://members.aol.com/MJMahon/ "The wastebasket is our most important design tool--and it is seriously underused."