(OpenXML:) Calling Captain Kirk
,----[ Quote ]
| When you get an OOXML document, you don't know what is inside. It might
| use the deprecated VML specification for vector graphics, or it might
| using DrawingML. It might use the line spacing defined in
| WordProcessingML, or it might have undefined legacy compatibility
| overrides for Word 95. It might have all of its content in XML, or
| it might have it mostly in RTF, HTML, MHTML, or "plain text". Or it
| may have any mix of the above. Even the most basic application that
| reads OOXML will also need to be conversant in RTF, HTML and MHTML.
`----
http://www.robweir.com/blog/2007/01/calling-captain-kirk.html
The deeper you look at this _proprietary_ XML-based format, the worse it
gets.
Related:
The Formats of Excel 2007
,----[ Quote ]
| The "Excel Macro-Enabled Workbook" option saves as an "xlsxm"
| extension. It is OOXML plus proprietary Microsoft extensions.
| These extensions, in the form of binary blob called
| vbaProject.bin, represent the source code of the macros. This
| part of the format is not described in the OOXML specification.
`----
http://www.robweir.com/blog/2007/01/formats-of-excel-2007.html
How to hire Guillaume Portes
,----[ Quote ]
| This is a running criticism I have of Microsoft's Office Open XML
| (OOXML). It has been narrowly crafted to accommodate a single
| vendor's applications. Its extreme length (over 6,000 pages)
| stems from it having detailed every detail of MS Office in an
| inextensible, inflexible manner. This is not a specification;
| this is a DNA sequence. For example, take this part of the
| OOXML "Standard":
|
| 2.15.3.6 autoSpaceLikeWord95 (Emulate Word 95 Full-Width
| Character Spacing)
|
| This element specifies that applications shall emulate the
| behavior of a previously existing word processing application
| (Microsoft Word 95) when determining the spacing between full-width
| East Asian characters in a document's content.
|
| [...]
|
| 2.15.3.26 footnoteLayoutLikeWW8 (Emulate Word 6.x/95/97
| Footnote Placement)
|
| This element specifies that applications shall emulate the
| behavior of a previously existing word processing application
| (Microsoft Word 6.x/95/97) when determining the placement of
| the contents of footnotes relative to the page on which the
| footnote reference occurs. This emulation typically involves
| some and/or all of the footnote being inappropriately placed
| on the page following the footnote reference.
`----
http://www.robweir.com/blog/2006/01/how-to-hire-guillaume-portes.html
,----[ Quote ]
| The ability for schools to exercise choice is further restricted by
| interoperability difficulties and Becta is calling on Microsoft to improve
| its support for the ODF interoperability standard.
`----
http://schools.becta.org.uk/index.php?section=re&catcode=ss_res_pro_gbv_03&rid=12924
|
|
