Massachusetts Accepts Microsoft's OOXML

After long-running controversy, the scope of the requirements of the state file format, an increase of Massachusetts, Microsofts music format, also known as the ECMA -- 376, or the Office of the open XML (ooxml), in the list of approved standards, In "br> state-owned enterprise technical reference model. This is a reversal State Council earlier position paper format for the national paper, a major victory for Microsoft in promoting its own standard, official documents.

Controversy erupted a year and a half ago, when Massachusetts, United States Department CIO Bideikui information technology due to the proposed use of the Oasis OpenDocument format as a standard file format for the countrys paper. Because the Set science and technology policy, the Office for the state as a whole, such a move will open mandate XML standard document, Chonju.

But Quinn failed to reach a consensus and make this decision, the high charge atmosphere. In the assertion that he did not properly coordinate such a position, Quinn resigned in January 2006. His successor, Luis Gutierrez, and then resign October 2006, the move was widely seen as a setback for the use of the OpenDocument format of documents.

Latest news, ooxml will gradually replace Microsoft Word binary format (ownership), as the primary format for the national agencies.

In fact, this decision means that the United States can continue to use Massachusetts, Microsoft offices in the creation and distribution of documents.

Some have criticized this development as a continuing reliance on Microsoft Office proprietary format for government documents. Microsofts involvement in this dispute, but has also been criticized because the company has been accused exert undue influence on the national policy for their own interests. In fairness Microsoft said, most agencies use Microsoft Office, as well as retraining to another package is likely to pay a heavy price.

Microsoft Office 2003, currently deployed in the majority of people in government agencies in Massachusetts, will support the use of the OpenDocument format document through translation software. It will also support the format through ooxml use Microsoft Office compatibility kits.

Several other countries attempting to authorize the use of the Oasis OpenDocument format for government documents, have not yet been successful.