Drapetomaniacs

This is an old article about Microsoft Works 9.0, but it shows a good reason to support open formats.(something Microsoft would liek to undermine). It is a lesser version than Microsoft Office , a package essential meant as a low end version with less functionality.

Microsoft Windows also has a "lower end version" for scenarios like " Developing Nations" for instance. They also hobble those versions with restrictions like not letting more than 3 programs run at the same time and restricting it to lower end chips and hardware. I guess a poor person in Brazil doesn't need more than 3 programs like the ones in the US.

But, to the point, Works "uses different file formats than the .doc or .xls used by Word and Excel." In other words, you type a document and Microsoft restricts your information and styling to a Works format. Outside of Microsoft using you to repeatedly capitalize your own work and ideas, you can use open formats like ODF in Google Docs, Open Office and other programs for free and use a different program at any time - taking your information with you. Open Source means Freedom - Open Documents means Freedom of Information, often your own information. Google capitalizes you again and again, but you arent at risk of losing functionality and access to your own information.