Re: [tdf-discuss] Do not support writing to OOXML format

Hi Mark, all,

Mark Preston wrote (31-12-10 16:11)
> If I may inject what I hope is a little sense into this argument:-
>
> A major strength of Open Office is and always was that it could read
> and often write documents in many proprietary formats. That strength
> should remain solidly a feature of Libre Office and for exactly the
> same reasons.
>
> When it comes to the Microsoft formats there is a significant issue
> with writing the formats - specifically, that even Microsoft cannot
> fully adhere to the standards they set. This is a major fault and it
> is one which Microsoft has placed into the marketplace.
>
> It leaves Libre Office with three choices when it comes to these
> formats. It can either:-
>
> 1. Write in the format as used by Microsoft.
> 2. Write in the format as specified in the ISO standard.
> 3. Refuse to write in the new formats at all.
>
> The problem with option 1 is that it is a strictly proprietary form
> which even Microsoft admits does not actually meet the open standard.
> It is therefore open to attacks using patent and other legislation if
> adopted by Libre Office.
>
> The problem with option 2 is that while it is an open standard it does
> not actually fully work with Microsoft Office and is therefore a
> pointless choice until (according to Microsoft) at least 2014.
>
> The problem with option 3 is that Libre Office would be left in the
> situation where its own files would need to be read by the ODF open
> feature in Microsoft Office, thus making Microsoft appear to be the
> ones making efforts to read "incompatible" formats. I would suggest
> that this is the very reason why Microsoft has taken this action with
> these formats.
>
> We are left, in short, with just two realistic choices. Either we
> reverse-engineer the OOXML as actually used and let Microsoft scream
> about it (as they certainly would) or we simply ignore the format for
> written documents and write them in the old "doc" format... while
> telling people clearly on the download website that this is because we
> are prevented from using the Microsoft "open" standard. Given the work
> involved in these choices, I would suggest the only realistic option
> is the latter one.

Thanks for the clear analyses.
And interesting discussion.

One thing I think that could be considered as well:
The choice seems to boil down to either:
 a- ignore saving in  OOXML, because supporting that would support the 
 non-open, MS dominated file format; or
 b- support saving in OOXML, because this enables users of LibreOffice 
to better cooperate with (part of the) people/organizations using MsO.

For the people that choose based on certain principles, a. seems the best.
For people that have to/want to work in a practical way, b. might be 
better, provided that the save-as-OOXML reaches a level where it is of 
practical use. If that is not the case, it is not more then window 
dressing that will leave users with a bad experience and again people 
pointing at the other application (LibO in this case) that does not 
support the file format properly.
Another side note: efforts spent to develop save-as-OOXML might have 
possible side effects for the save-as-DOC, I guess, since OOXML is 
partly based on the old binary format.

Indeed, not a clear a or b, but just some components for the frame to 
help making the choice.

How does that sound?

Best,
Cor


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