Open Source Weblog

Andy Updegrove has the scoop and notes that "software that implements the standard will now become more attractive to those European and other government purchasers for whom global adoption by ISO/IEC is either desirable, or required".

The ISO standard approval is also unquestionable. While there was the potential for those with a vested interest in defeating ODF to suggest that its approval by Oasis did not fit the criteria (see "Why is Microsoft offering a new standard, rather than simply supporting the file format for the Open Office product?") for an 'open standard', ISO is a different kettle of fish.

This is precisely why Microsoft was so keen to talk up the eventual adoption of its Office Open XML Format by ISO, even though it is first being handled by Ecma - a process that also has its critics.