Commandline: Opening a directory opens Microsoft "Open XML Converter"

Question

Hello everyone,
I am trying to open a directory from the commandline, like this:
user1@HOSTA:~ $ open '/Volumes/Macintosh HD/Applications/'
I expected the directory to open in the Finder, but instead a program called Microsoft "Open XML Converter" starts up instead. 'Finder' never opens. It seems like the default "type" was munged when "Open XML Converter" was installed.
I have searched around the internet and in these forums, but I cannot find any answers. I appreciate any help on how to fix this.
-= Stefan

Answer 1

try running this script from the script editor (I picked it up somewhere - can't remember where). it should rebuild the launch services database, which might fix the problem.
display dialog "The Finder must quit and will relaunch after the Launch Services rebuild is complete. The rebuild may take several minutes, during which time you should refrain from using any other apps." buttons {"Cancel", "Rebuild LS Database"} default button 2 with icon caution
ignoring application responses
tell application "Finder"
delay 2
quit
end tell
end ignoring
delay 5
tell application "System Events" to set runningapplications to get name of every application process
if runningapplications contains "Finder" then do shell script "killall Finder"
do shell script "/System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Frameworks/LaunchServices.framework/Support/lsregister -kill -r -domain local -domain system -domain user"
tell application "Finder"
delay 2
activate
end tell
tell me to activate
display dialog "The Launch Services rebuild is now complete." buttons {"OK"} default button 1 with icon note