Fraunhofer Institute on OOXML und ODF

[ Thanks to An
Anonymous Reader for this link. ]

“The results are rather sobering. Whether the
conversion from one document type to the other is successful
depends on the complexity and functionality of the document as well
as the “translatability level” of the tool used. A closed loop
where, say, an ODF document is converted to OOXML and then back
again is nigh impossible. The problems arise, according to the
analysis, from the ambiguities of the standards and the extensions
to the document formats, even if they comform to the standards. The
success ultimately lies in the instruments used, which the
standards often don’t cover. The authors recommend developing
validators for the purpose. All in all, the basic compatibility
between ODF and OOXML remains largely undefined.”

Maybe I’m seeing this too simplistically, but the most
practical and sustainable solution seems obvious– get rid of OOXML
–ed.

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