Wordperfect to Support Microsoft's 'Open' XML Format and ODF

OK, if you're not a geek - this basically means that Wordperfect will be compatible with both Microsoft Office and OpenOffice.org. And what that means is that no matter which format you use, Wordperfect users will be able to read the document and even respond in the same format. Corel seems to have gotten it.

Interoperability is an advantage. Users are important. The world is too small for proprietary data formats, and the world is getting smaller (sorry, not more flat - mathematically flawed to say so).

From the article:

...Corel’s ODF support could get it some sales in organisations that believe there should be an open global format for documents. It will not support the formats until the middle of next year.

Corel claimed in a statement that it is the only company to adopt a “format neutral” approach to address the needs of its customers. Richard Carriere, Corel’s general manager of office productivity, said: "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.

"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. Yet upon the debut of Microsoft Office 2007, Microsoft OOXML will immediately experience broad dissemination."...

It's a good strategic position, but I'm not sure it's enough for WordPerfect to expand - but it may keep from erosion of the WordPerfect userbase. In the circle of people I know, WordPerfect hasn't been used since... around 1987. I saw some WordPerfect file formats during the 90s, but those were easily converted to Microsoft Word.

Maybe this will change things, maybe it won't - but that's the whole point of an Open Data Format - allowing competition without holding users hostage.