WordprocessingML
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WordprocessingML (also known as WordML and Microsoft Office Word 2003 XML Reference Schemas) is the XML schema for Microsoft Office Word 2003. Microsoft announced it has opened its schemas, and made it possible to create a program for reading and creating them under an open-source license in part to comply with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts decision to mandate the use of open document formats and the Valoris report for the European Union's Telematics between Administrations Committee (TAC), see the Groklaw link in the External links section.
SpreadsheetML
SpreadsheetML is the XML schema for Microsoft Office Excel 2003
DataDiagramingML
DataDiagramingML is the XML schema for Microsoft Office Visio 2003
FormTemplate
FormTemplate is the XML schema for Microsoft Office InfoPath 2003
Commentary
Use of this format is controversial. Many analysts report that Microsoft's original license for the format is incompatible with common licenses used for open source software, such as the GPL license, because of various obligations included in their license. In addition, Microsoft has applied for various related patents, leaving many concerned that Microsoft will later reveal a patent and force any competitor using the format to cease (leaving customers stuck with only a single alternative if they chose to have documents saved in this format). Many governments have standing policies to encourage (and not inhibit) competition, and choosing a format with such restrictions is thus controversial in those governments.
Many believe that WordprocessingML specs are a work in progress and many important aspects are still undocumented, or are defined in a binary only form (e.g. OLE and VBA) and those lack complete documentation. Although Microsoft has pledged to complete the specs, some people fear this will never fully happen given Microsoft's track record in revealing their internal information.
In response to these concerns, Microsoft initially offered a modified license for the patents which removed some restrictions, and then offered a "covenant not to sue" which it claims frees anyone to implement the format. According to some this was modeled after Sun's covenant not to sue for Open Document Format. Microsoft has also offered the Office Open XML Format to ECMA for standardization and eventual referral to ISO.
In addition, it must be noted that despite these arguments, Open Office.org 2.0 supports WordProcessingML, and Corel has announced it will add support for the new Office Open XML formats.
See also
External links
- An article in Groklaw about the ongoing standardisation process
- WordprocessingML home page
- A slashdot dicussion about the announcement
- Microsoft Office Formats Not Really Being Opened, another Slashdot discussion
- Forum Debate a lively & informative debate over whether or not a word processor should adopt the OpenDocument Format (ODF)