ODF at 20: Open Document Format's Two-Decade Battle Against Microsoft
2025-05-06
Twenty years ago, the Open Document Format (ODF) became a standard, aiming to break Microsoft Office's dominance. While ODF gained traction with some governments and organizations, including the UK government, the European Commission, and even NATO (which mandated its use), it failed to significantly dent Microsoft's market share. Proponents argue ODF is more than a technical specification; it symbolizes freedom of choice and interoperability. Yet, most users stick with Microsoft's default formats. This two-decade struggle reflects the ongoing tension between open standards and commercial strategies.
Tech
Open Document