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Microsoft OOXML: Lies, Whitewashing, Abuse and Vulnerabilities

If it barks like a dog, it's probably a dog

T

he sheer abuse surrounding OOXML cannot ever be denied (not without a guilty conscience). We wrote about this latest debacle yesterday and the day before that. According to the article from ZDNet UK, "Microsoft admits to standards ignorance pre-OOXML." It's summarised as follows.

Microsoft has admitted that, despite being one of the dominant names in IT for over 30 years, it had little or no experience or expertise around software standards until the company was mid-way through the process of getting Office Open XML approved by the International Organization for Standardization.


Needless to say, this is a lie. It's an embellishment at best -- some lipstick and a dress on a pig. Microsoft not only knew the rules, but it also knew very well how to abuse them. Remember these words from Jason Matusow, as highlighted by Andy Updegrove last year:

"There is no question that all over the world the competing interests in the Open XML standardization process are going to use all tactics available to them within the rules."

This sounds like a crazy gambler who is willing to pull any dirty trick out of the book, does it not? It sure ended up this way.

What would the world have with Microsoft's XML? Based on the latest news: nothing less than "critical" vulnerabilities (highest level of severity).

Critical vulnerability in Microsoft XML Core Services patched



Microsoft Security issued a patch today for a critical vulnerability affecting all supported editions of Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Microsoft Office 2003, and the 2007 Microsoft Office System.


Does the world really look forward to Microsoft's XML 'solutions'? More so with binary 'extensions'?

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