[antiRepublicrat]

The fact that you don't consider interoperability to be an "objective criteria of the merits of software

If you need that level of interoperability, then it would be in your criteria. If you don't, then it won't. It's that simple. But most organizations and companies do not have that much of a requirement for interoperability of document format. Basically, as long as you can read Word or Excel every once in a while, you're okay. I've worked in these places, from major universities to some of the biggest companies in the U.S.

Europe evidently has no such fear of screwing American companies.

You haven't been reading. Linux was ahead in the beginning because it came out ahead on a contracted third-party merit study. That Microsoft's price was so high was a definite nail in its coffin, but even lowering their initial bid so much was apparently not enough to overcome the shortcomings in other areas.

[Bush2000]

If you need that level of interoperability, then it would be in your criteria. If you don't, then it won't. It's that simple. But most organizations and companies do not have that much of a requirement for interoperability of document format.

And God knows, the federal government doesn't need to interoperate with anybody... /SARCASM

[Bush2000]

You haven't been reading. Linux was ahead in the beginning because it came out ahead on a contracted third-party merit study. That Microsoft's price was so high was a definite nail in its coffin, but even lowering their initial bid so much was apparently not enough to overcome the shortcomings in other areas.

Rrrrrright. It couldn't possibly have anything to do with seeking to avoid sending dollars to the United States companies... /SARCASM