OpenDocument is open, well-documented, and XML-based, so *any* vendor can in the future make a tool to read or edit documents using that DTD. In contrast, the MSO formats are using encryption, copyright, trade secrets and, in the U.S., patents to prevent third party tools.
Another topic is attorney-client privilege. Though that is under attack in the US, it is still part of practice. MSO XP on MS-Windows XP SP2 or MSO 2003 (which has DRM baked in) has the capability that every time a document is opened, created, edited, printed, copied, saved, or mailed that action can be tracked. Depending on the settings, the tracking either occurs at the MS-Pasport site, or on another designated MS-Server. Note that 2003, XP SP1, and 2000 SP3 grant third party access to the contents of the server (check the technical description or just read the license that came with) I'm sure it's not a good thing to allow third parties to keep up on internal communications
-Lars
Lars Nooden ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
Software patents harm all Net-based business, write your MEP:
http://wwwdb.europarl.eu.int/ep6/owa/p_meps2.repartition?ilg=EN
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