OK, try to follow this: Microsoft has spent the past two years slamming its Open XML file format through the process that makes it an international standard. Along the way, there's been arm-twisting, committee-packing, bribery and other chicanery. But by mid-May, Microsoft was one step away from success.
Nobody has invested more in defeating Microsoft's Open XML document format than IBM.
I don’t mind a little cynicism — it’s a natural and only mildly toxic by-product of paying attention. So recently, when Microsoft’s Office Open XML file format was rejected as an international standard, I wasn’t bothered that Microsoft said it was “extremely delighted” by the result.
Standards Australia has defended it's decision to abstain from the ISO (International Organisation for Standardisation) and IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) ballot to approve Microsoft's Office Open XML format as an international standard, saying Australia still has a chance to approve or disapprove the vote.
The New Zealand Open Source Society has come out fighting after an advertising blitz by Microsoft this week put the heat on Standards New Zealand ahead of a crucial international document standards vote.