This Sunday is the deadline for an important standards vote on Microsoft's Open XML file formats, with early reports pointing to an inconclusive result--and a hefty dose of disillusionment with the standards process.

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is due to receive votes by September 2 on whether Open XML will be certified as an ISO standard through its fast-track process.

The completion of the vote is a milestone in a process Microsoft began nearly two years ago to make Open XML--the native file formats in Office 2007--international standards. ISO standardization is particularly important with government customers with long-term archival needs.

Local news reports and participants' blogs have reported on some countries' votes before the final tally. In those reported cases, the votes have conditions attached to them which should prevent immediate ISO ratification.

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Microsoft, XML, OOXML, Open XML, ISO, Open-Source, Open Source, File Format, Tech News