OpenDocument is not OpenOffice.org

Hello everyone,

I was browsing the Abiword list archives and I found this post:

http://www.abisource.com/mailinglists/abiword-user/2005/Jan/0082.htmlOn

----- Being quote -------
Sun, 2005-01-30 at 21:12 -0500, Alan G Isaac wrote:
> Is AbiWord going to provide import and export
> filters for OpenDocument format?
> http://www.oasis-open.org/committees/tc_home.php?wg_abbrev=office

 [snip]

We have import and export filters for the OpenOffice document format
which is the same.
----- End quote -------

I'd like to point out that the two formats are *not* the same.

True, the OpenOffice.org 1.0 was a starting point for OpenDocument. But
the OASIS Technical Committee made major changes. OpenDocument is more
extensive and universal than the OOo1.0 format. For example, it can cover
databases, stand-alone charts, custom schemas (using XForms). None of
those are available in the OOo 1.0 format.

True, the formats bear obvious resemblance. And if you have OOo filters,
it's easier to make OD filters. But they are still different formats. You
can't change the extension of an OOo document and expect it to work on an
OpenDocument-based application.

I realize that the name can be confusing because of the "Open" part. But the
OASIS committee really wanted to keep the word "open" because it's such a
powerful word in today's world. But we really want to disassociate
OpenDocument from OpenOffice.org. OpenDocument is independent, and it's
bigger than OOo. OpenOffice.org is but one application (along with KOffice and
IBM's Workplace) that have decided to switch to a new format controlled by an
independent standards body.

Thank you for your time.

Cheers,

-- 
Daniel Carrera          | Rigorous reasoning from inapplicable
Join OOoAuthors today!  | assumptions yields the world's most
http://oooauthors.org   | durable nonsense.
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