Format grudge match goes into extra time

Firms may be forced to support Open XML and ODF

Ongoing uncertainty over which file format will prevail is likely to drive some firms to support both the Microsoft-backed Office Open XML, and the Sun and IBM supported Open Document Format (ODF) in order to be confident that their documents will still be electronically accessible in decades to come.

The saga over Microsoft's attempts to gain broad standards support for Open XML could drag on until next year after the International Committee for IT Standards (Incits) voted against fast-tracking ISO approval. At the same time, supporters of the rival ODF were buoyed by Google's decision to use Sun's StarOffice productivity suite in its Google Pack free download. StarOffice supports ODF, which supporters say will help customers avoid being locked in to Microsoft software.

A Microsoft spokesman put a brave face on the Incits vote. "While the 'yes, with comments' ballot did not receive the required two-thirds majority vote, 57 percent of the votes cast were supportive of Open XML, which is consistent with prior voting in the US Technical Committee, Incits/V1," he said. "However, a formal decision from the US national body has not yet been reached and may not be known until 2 September. Further, the final outcome may not be known until early 2008."

There have also been technical issues raised around the Open XML spec. On 3 August, Oracle engineers issued a report suggesting that "a substantial number of issues have been raised that in our opinion cast doubt on the quality and implementability of the specification. Tackling all the issues in a satisfactory manner is not possible in the timeframe permitted and is inappropriate for the Fast Track process."

However, Microsoft also has its share of independent supporters, some of whom suggest that a prejudice exists among ODF backers. In a recent blog entry, Forrester Research analyst Kyle McNabb wrote that the Incits group voting on Open XML "can't be completely objective" because members included ODF supporters such as IBM.

One possible outcome of the Open XML/ODF squabble that could be beneficial to all concerned is the chance to take another look at the convoluted process of setting standards.

On his blog, IBM vice-president for open source and standards Bob Sutor wrote, "People close to the process on all sides have a lot of important information on where the procedures work, where they donít, where they are vague, where they are inconsistent, and where they allow unintended consequences."