In a decision that will distress OpenDocument Format (ODF) fans, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, ODF's biggest booster, has gone ahead and approved Microsoft's Office Open XML (OOXML) document format as an acceptable format for state records alongside ODF. So now all those state office workers can go right on using Office.

Meanwhile, it looks like INCITS, the International Committee for Information Technology Standards, which represents US interests in ISO, may not necessarily be led by its advisory committee and could still throw its support to OOXML as an ISO standard come the vote September 2.

INCITS' executive committee reportedly approved the draft specification "with comments" whereas the advisory committee couldn't muster the two-thirds needed for approval.

INCITS support still isn't in the bag, however. It said in a press statement that it has yet to determine its position.

In the background are rumblings about packing national bodies like Portugal's.