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Mary-Jo Foley

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January 21st, 2008

IBM, Google quietly supporting OOXML?

Posted by Mary Jo Foley @ 6:24 am

Categories: Corporate strategy, Office, Office 2007, Google

Tags: Google Inc., OpenDocument Format, IBM Corp., OOXML, OpenDocument Format (ODF), Strategic Planning, Microsoft Office, Databases, Enterprise Software, Emerging Technologies

In Focus » See more posts on: ODF

In spite of their public opposition to Microsoft’s attempt to get the ISO standardization nod for its Office Open XML (OOXML) document format, IBM and Google quietly are supporting OOXML.

That’s according to two blog postings from the end of last week by Microsoft execs involved in the OOXML vs. Open Document Format (ODF) standards battle.

In a blog post entitled, “Speaking of odd contradictions … ” Gray Knowlton, Microsoft Group Product Manager of the Office technical product management team, cited IBM’s support for OOXML in two products: IBM DB2 Content Manager v8.4 and IBM Websphere Portal. A company spokeswoman said Microsoft also had discovered IBM is supporting OOXML in its IBM Lotus Quickr team-collaboration product, as well as in IBM DB2 9 pureXML.

Office Program Manager Brian Jones, meanwhile, noted that another major ODF proponent, Google, is allowing Google searchers to view OOXML files saved in .docx, .xlsx and .pptx. in the browser using their own rendering technologies.

“They support all three formats, and the results are pretty rich (surprisingly richer than what they provide for ODF files),” Jones blogged.

However, hAI, one commenter on Jones’ post, wasn’t convinced that Jones’ discovery constituted true Google support for OOXML:

“It looks like only XLSX files are supported that way and not DOCX files yet.

“Also it seems that Google search with filetype:docx is still missing a lot of files that I can find workings links to, using Live search contains:docx search parameter.

“Anyways Brain, why does Google support the filetype:docx search parameter whilst your own Live search still does not.”

What’s your take? Are IBM and Google talking out of both sides of their mouths, when it comes to their “OOXML is evil” claims? Or is Microsoft increasingly grasping at straws, as the late February ISO vote on OOXML standardization inches closer?

Mary Jo has covered the tech industry for more than 20 years. Don't miss a single post. Subscribe via Email or RSS. Got a tip? Send Mary Jo your rants, rumors, tips and tattles. For disclosure on Mary Jo's industry affiliations, click here.

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and we dont believe that ODF is a complete standard: ODF is incomplete and that leaves a lot of portions open to interpretation. This leads to incompatabilities and fragmentation.

If Google is just interested in viewing OOXML, fine, who the hell cares. For all I care, Google need not support OOXML, because I dont care about Google.... (Read the rest); Posted by: code_Warrior Posted on: 04/01/08 You are currently: Logged In | Log out

Google will support search for whatever is on the web, no matter how bad DonnieBoy | 01/21/08

LOL!

GuidingLight | 01/21/08

The point is, good or bad, if the format appears on the web, Google will DonnieBoy | 01/21/08

But I though that nobody wanted MS Office GuidingLight | 01/21/08

Google Docs is not a substiture for MS Office. OpenOffice would be more DonnieBoy | 01/21/08

OpenOffice sucks, and Docs small functions are not comparable... quikboy | 01/21/08

Not sure why you hate OpenOffice, it works very well for me, but, I find DonnieBoy | 01/22/08

Then why do it quietly? GuidingLight | 01/21/08

There really is no big deal here, they are just supporting another format, DonnieBoy | 01/22/08

Crappy software transposeIT | 01/23/08

re: not sure why you hate open office.... notsofast | 01/22/08

Therefore Google will know Thore | 01/21/08

Reverse Embrace and Extend? fr0thy | 01/22/08

Not supporting OOXML. More like acknowledgment. Letophoro | 01/21/08

More word games Rob Weir | 01/21/08

Of course they support it No_Ax_to_Grind | 01/21/08

Has more to do with the standards track. B.O.F.H. | 01/21/08

The reason matters little... No_Ax_to_Grind | 01/21/08

It is just another file format. B.O.F.H. | 01/21/08

Exactlly right. It's just another format like so many others. No_Ax_to_Grind | 01/21/08

Different Definitions of Support mdielmann | 01/21/08

Defined for ya. They can't afford to ignor 95% of the users. No_Ax_to_Grind | 01/21/08

95% of users aren�t using OOXML johndrinkwater | 01/21/08

They will be... No_Ax_to_Grind | 01/21/08

But most are staying with the existing formats. Bruizer | 01/21/08

Only while they can Yagotta B. Kidding | 01/21/08

Simply not true, look at Office 07 sales. No_Ax_to_Grind | 01/21/08

Office 2007 DOES NOT USE OOXML stevey_d | 01/21/08

Talk about misleading headlines!! techboy_z | 01/21/08

Actually, support is the correct word. No_Ax_to_Grind | 01/21/08

Not so much... techboy_z | 01/21/08

Sure it is No_Ax_to_Grind | 01/21/08

heheee. thanks for YOUR support! Mary Jo Foley

| 01/21/08

Ahem...well.... techboy_z | 01/21/08

Re: Ahem...well.... none none | 01/21/08

Headlines and RFC M.R. Kennedy | 01/21/08

Only one of many formats Rob Weir | 01/21/08

I thought the same thing none none | 01/21/08

Because... none none | 01/21/08

I was fooled too Goldie_Simmons | 01/21/08

Supporting? or tolerating? Ole Man | 01/21/08

Niether, its about making a buck No_Ax_to_Grind | 01/21/08

Substitute Microsoft for IBM Ole Man | 01/22/08

It's supporting. Not tolerating. quikboy | 01/21/08

I must have missed storm14k | 01/22/08

It's just you Ole Man | 01/22/08

re: Supporting? or tolerating? M.R. Kennedy | 01/21/08

As always, you know where! Ole Man | 01/22/08

re: As always, you know where! M.R. Kennedy | 01/22/08

This story reeks of desperation stevey_d | 01/21/08

Your post reeks of xuniL_z | 01/22/08

uhh ohh!! someobody struck a nerve mdsmedia | 01/22/08

Considerably richer experience? stevey_d | 01/21/08

Here's my take on ooxlm and odf CoolbeansG | 01/21/08

OOXML is defective by design Ole Man | 01/22/08

RE: IBM, Google quietly supporting OOXML? Free_Thinker | 01/22/08

Google position. JeremyAllison | 01/23/08

and we dont believe that ODF is a complete standard code_Warrior | 04/01/08

Just another MS marketing Campaing evilmind | 01/30/08

What do you think?

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IBM, Google quietly supporting OOXML?
In spite of their public opposition to Microsoft's attempt to get the ISO standardization nod for its Office Open XML (OOXML) document format, IBM and Google quietly are supporting OOXML. That's according to two blog postings from the ...
Trackback by webspherepower Magazine — January 23, 2008 @ 1:36 am
IBM, Google quietly supporting OOXML?
Program Manager Brian Jones, meanwhile, noted that another major ODF proponent, Google, is allowing Google searchers to view OOXML files saved in .docx, .xlsx and .pptx. in the browser using their own rendering technologies. View Full Article: Mary Jo Foley's Blog
Trackback by Anonymous — January 26, 2008 @ 3:10 am
Is This Thing On?
Also, see what the rest of the planet had to say: http://blogs.computerworld.com/gadfly_ibm_open_xml_support http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9058038 http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=1121 Does this mean we will be doing roadshows with the folks at IBM? Can we have a group hug? Inquiring minds what to know hehehe.
Trackback by Anonymous — February 6, 2008 @ 3:12 am
IBM, Google quietly supporting OOXML?
Office Program Manager Brian Jones, meanwhile, noted that another major ODF proponent, Google, is allowing Google searchers to view OOXML files saved in .docx, .xlsx and .pptx. in the browser using their own rendering technologies. [ View ] Posted in General, Open Source | No Comments »
Trackback by Anonymous — February 6, 2008 @ 3:12 am