They don't though? The file formats are documented and other office suite software can read and write them.
They do, those formats are a mess, full of small details and non-standard implementations on MS Office and Excel is most like the worst case. Office formats are all open until you realize that means shit because Microsoft does what they want and the standards don't cover everything. If you're serious about office and you need to collaborate with MS Office users those "other office suites" won't cut it. You'll have compatibility issues.
I agree that they're a mess, but there's nothing in there that intentionally holds you hostage. The format is not binary - it's readable to anyone that wants to read it.
That's the same as saying that Microsoft doesn't make anyone hostage with MS Office, yet they do.
Bullshit. I can use docker without the docker hub very easily. Anyone can host docker images, and docker allows this, no weird hacks needed.
They don't though? The file formats are documented and other office suite software can read and write them.
They do, those formats are a mess, full of small details and non-standard implementations on MS Office and Excel is most like the worst case. Office formats are all open until you realize that means shit because Microsoft does what they want and the standards don't cover everything. If you're serious about office and you need to collaborate with MS Office users those "other office suites" won't cut it. You'll have compatibility issues.
I agree that they're a mess, but there's nothing in there that intentionally holds you hostage. The format is not binary - it's readable to anyone that wants to read it.
Do you have an example?