Corel's WordPerfect Office software is being updated to
support both the Oasis-based Open Document Format (ODF) and
Microsoft's Office Open XML (OOXML).
Corel originally appeared to favour ODF, after being heavily
involved in its development, but it has now said it intends to
support both the non-proprietary ODF and Microsoft's proprietary
offering.
Corel is a member of open standards organisation Oasis and the
ODF Alliance, and one of its developers was among the original
authors of the Oasis Open Document Format specification.
Beginning in mid-2007, Corel will provide open, view and edit
support for OOXML and ODF, as a first step towards a comprehensive
set of functionality features for both formats.
Corel said that by supporting both ODF and OOXML it was in a
unique format-neutral position, independent of Microsoft, Adobe and
other vendors' efforts to propagate their respective standards.
This format-neutral approach would allow Corel to focus directly
on addressing the needs of customers, whose adoption choices will
determine which formats will become most relevant, said Corel.
"Corel is, and will continue to be, a strong supporter of open
standards. The XML format roadmap for Corel WordPerfect Office
reflects our clear focus on responding to the needs of our
customers, especially those in government who are making
significant efforts to adopt open standards," said Richard
Carriere, general manager of office productivity at Corel.
Carriere said, "Because it is free, truly open and certified as
an ISO standard, many customers see ODF as the most promising
format for the future of office productivity. But with the debut of
Microsoft Office 2007, Microsoft OOXML will immediately experience
broad dissemination."
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