WordprocessingML
WordprocessingML (also known as WordML and Office 2003 XML Reference Schemas) is the Microsoft Office XML Reference Schemas. Microsoft said 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.
Criticisms
This is a controversial subject as many people think the license is not compatible with the GPL license because of the obligation to include the Microsoft copyright notice in the program. Others think that WordprocessingML specs are a work in progress and many important aspects are still undocumented such as the PowerPoint format, 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. Microsoft has also refused so far to submit the format to an independent standard body contrary to the OpenDocument which will be submitted to the ISO standard body.
See also
External links
- An intersting article in Groklaw about the ongoing standardisation process
- WordprocessinML home page
- A slashdot dicussion about the announcement
- Microsoft Office Formats Not Really Being Opened, another Slashdot discussion