The philosophy behind ODF: openness, freedom and control – TDF Community Blog
3 days ago
- #DigitalRights
- #OpenDocumentFormat
- #UserFreedom
- The Open Document Format (ODF) is more than a technical standard; it represents openness, user freedom, and control over digital information.
- ODF is an open standard for office documents, developed transparently, unlike proprietary formats like those from Microsoft Office.
- Openness in ODF means public specifications, enabling anyone to create compatible software without legal barriers or fees.
- ODF ensures long-term document accessibility, preventing issues if a company changes direction or stops supporting a format.
- Freedom with ODF allows users to choose software without being locked into a single vendor, promoting equality and accessibility.
- Control in ODF means users have power over their documents, with transparent governance and no unilateral changes by a single organization.
- ODF files are inspectable and can be automated or processed using open tools, ensuring data integrity over time.
- Even in the cloud era, ODF remains relevant by protecting user control and data accessibility.
- ODF acts as a check on market power, ensuring users can switch software without losing access to their documents.
- ODF's philosophy translates to practical benefits: reduced barriers, durable documents, and greater user choice and control.