Even Windows developers don’t like OOXML

I was fascinated to receive an e-mail newsletter from Michael Desmond, editor-in-chief of Redmond Developer News, admitting that even Microsoft-centric IT professionals thought that Microsoft did a bad job in its failed attempt to fast-track Office Open XML through the ISO.

Redmond Developer News, published by 1105 Media, is a publication for developers focused on the Microsoft technology stack, such as Windows, SQL Server, Visual Studio, .NET, and so-on. Michael had blogged on Sept. 9th about the ISO thumbs-down vote, and had asked for comments. (You can read my own posting on the ISO vote here.)

Evidently, he received comments — but not the ones he expected.

In today’s edition of his Redmond Developer Newsletter (which comes via e-mail), Michael had an excellent essay on the subject. I’m going to reproduce it in its entirety, because I can’t find it online to link to.

The OOXML Odyssey: Reader Outrage Edition

I like to think of myself as a fair-minded guy who’s open to both sides of an argument. So when I wrote about the recent no-vote for the Microsoft Office Open XML (OOXML) spec by the International Organization of Standardization (ISO), I was a bit astonished by the
nature of the response. Read the original blog post here:
http://reddevnews.com/blogs/weblog.aspx?blog=1203

To wit: Not one person wrote in to say they supported Microsoft or the OOXML specification. Not one.

Instead, what I read was a parade of impassioned protest. Readers railed against what they found to be a sloppy, complex and potentially dangerous XML-based technical specification. Several wrote to express concern about Microsoft strong-arming the ISO process, stacking national ISO voting bodies in an effort to win approval. And to a man (or woman), the writers condemned OOXML on its technical merits.

What surprises me about this response is that these are people reading Redmond Developer News — you know, a publication for developers and managers working with the Microsoft technology stack. You’d think this audience would have a lot invested in Microsoft tools
and skill sets, and that they’d be at least somewhat likely to have a favorable opinion of OOXML.

But they don’t.

What does it say about Microsoft and its current OOXML push that our readers — essentially, the home field for Microsoft in this contest — are so clearly opposed to the Redmond-sponsored technology?

You tell me. Because I really want to hear it. E-mail me at email hidden; JavaScript is required.

Good essay, Michael. I hope Microsoft is reading it.