Another important improvement in ODF 1.2 is the support for metadata, a W3C standard model for data interchange on the Web. “To the layman you could say these are hyperlinks on steroids,” Leenaars explained. Instead of only being able to link to a URL, RDF allows users to link text in documents to other things like a V-Card or a calendar item. Companies can use this technology to structure their workflow. “The document becomes part of the Web and becomes smart,” Leenaars said. Documents that use this technology are called “smart documents”.

Organizations that work with Microsoft Office have to wait to take advantage of improvements to the specification. While other vendors have implemented ODF 1.2, Microsoft has been at version 1.1 since Office 2007 SP2. “Microsoft addicts will have to wait," said Leenaars, adding that Microsoft is actively working on support for ODF 1.2. The software giant will host the in Brussels where they are expected to announce ODF 1.2 support. The event is scheduled to take place April 26 and 27.

Leenaars emphasized that there are many more implementations on the market besides those from well-known vendors such as IBM. He mentioned AbiWord (best known from the OLPC), Calligra suite, Gnumeric, Google Docs, Softmaker Office, EuroOffice, WebODF and Zoho Office. “The new standard gives them the chance to compete on features, not on previous market share. And don't forget that we in the post-PC era don't have a single winning platform anymore -- and all these devices will have to read office files one way or another,” Leenaars added.