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OpenDoc Revolutionizes Software Industry with Modular Components

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The wait for major updates of PC operating systems and applications may become a thing of the past as the OpenDoc software consortium launches a new standard for modular software components. Founding members Apple, IBM, and Novell aim to have the industry adopt the OpenDoc standard by the end of the year, allowing users to choose from a wide range of small, specialized applications that can be easily updated via online services.

Key Takeaways:

  • The OpenDoc standard defines a framework for software components to talk to each other, enabling seamless integration across different applications and platforms.
  • Operating systems will become less important as software components can be easily added or removed, allowing users to customize their applications to suit their needs.
  • The OpenDoc partners believe that software updates will become continuous, with users able to access the latest features and technologies via online services.
  • The use of modular components will reduce the complexity of software development, allowing new applications to reach the market more quickly.
  • The OpenDoc standard is supported by major players in the industry, including Apple, IBM, Novell, Adobe, Lotus, and Oracle.
  • Microsoft has left the development of the Windows operating system to Novell, focusing instead on its in-house OLE 2.0 software.

Statistics:

  • Apple engineers built a simple drawing program for the Macintosh as an OpenDoc part, requiring only 7993 lines of code.
  • When the program was converted to Windows, only 22 lines of code had to be altered.
  • The OpenDoc standard aims to reduce the complexity of software development, allowing users to access the latest features and technologies via online services.
  • The annual cost of maintaining and updating software applications is estimated to be around $10 billion.

Sources:

  • Thom Cookes, Apple's OpenDoc could change the way software is used and marketed.
  • Microsoft's local chief, Chris Keliher, stating that major updates of PC operating systems and applications could become a thing of the past.
  • Apple Australia's Alan Bell, who explained that the OpenDoc standard allows users to choose from a wide range of small, specialized applications that can be easily updated via online services.

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