Re: [xml-dev] The year is 2027, and we need to examine archived XML documents from 2007 ...
> So, instead of fighting over ODF/OOXML which can survive with or without
> each other, perhaps ISO/W3C/OASIS/IETF etc should focus on a (possibly)
> XML based archive format for documents and data which preserves basic
> layout, links, binary objects (like jpg, avi, etc) as part of the
> format. Open Office and Microsoft can conform to Government requirements
> by having a "Save Archive" option.
>
> All sorts of applications, not just office functions could target the
> archive format for long term storage and searching.
>
There is probably something to be learned from ISO PDF/A in this regard. One idea I've given some thought to is whether something like ODF/A, defined as a formal profile or restriction of ODF, would have significantly greater usefulness for long-term archiving than the full ODF. ODF/A for example, could disallow scripts/macros, OLE embeddings, image embeddings other than PNG and JPG format, etc.
-Rob
___________________________
Rob Weir
Software Architect
Workplace, Portal and Collaboration Software
IBM Software Group
email: [email protected]
phone: 1-978-399-7122
blog: http://www.robweir.com/blog/