Developing countries and emerging markets seem to have run out of patience for the abuses by Microsoft [1, 2, 3, 4]. ODF seems to be their 'default' choice and South Africa strengthens its commitment with this new conference.

As one of the lead parties in the OOXML ISO opposition and with a government ODF strategy, the second OpenDocument Format workshop is, fittingly, to be held in South Africa in October.

In case India bypasses ISO recommendations, it's worth issuing feedback on this "Standards/Recommendations for Public Review" document while it is not finalised. Bought 'standards' don't belong in the public sector because they affect a broad spectrum of people who must not come to depend on a single foreign vendor. ⬆

Photo from the public domain