[Linux-aus] Microsoft Office 2003 lock-in via DRM

[David Cartwright <drpacket@bigpond.net.au>]

The following story at CNET highlights Microsoft's plans to lock-in users to
proprietary Office 2003 formats via DRM.

http://news.com.com/2100-1012_3-5069246.html?tag=fd_lede1_hed 

So much for those who trumpeted Microsoft's new XML openness in Office 2003!

However DRM features are very attractive to both the enterprise and
government markets. These are large chunks of the total market and they also
drive adoption in the home market. After all, how many people want to use a
different Office suite at home and work??

I would think the only long-term hope for OpenOffice/StarOffice in these
markets is an alliance with Adobe to create an open DRM standard for
documents. While Adobe is not exactly an enthusiastic supporter of open
standards, the alternative lock-out by Microsoft could perhaps help them see
the benefit.

... david cartwright