Microsoft, Newspeak and Open XML

"One of the most chilling concepts of George Orwell's novel '1984' is 'Newspeak.' In Newspeak, the language is constantly being cropped of words that might lead to 'thoughtcrimes.' If you control the language, the logic goes, you control what people think.

"Microsoft is doing exactly this with its 'Open XML.' It's meant to remind you of open source--a term which is now fighting to maintain its integrity--and, in particular, of open standards..."

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