Andy Updegrove writes “OpenDocument weighs in at 706 pages, and Microsoft’s XML reference schema at over 1900. So what are those extra 1200 pages for? True, some account for additional features. But the rest likely represent the difference between the requirements of a truly open standard that can provide the foundation for vigorous competition and innovation, on the one hand, and on the other, a specification tightly locked on,and crafted to perpetuate, a single multi-generation product, warts and all, and all the programming arcana that entails. Those are two very different tools, for two very different jobs. As Mr. Natural always said, “Always use the right tool for the job!” Words to live by, in my book. So which job sounds more useful and interesting to you, and which tool would you prefer to have in your tool kit?”
Link: ConsortiumInfo.org
