[odf-discuss] Here is Microsoft's spin on the JTC-1 contradictions

[Daniel Carrera]

On Thu, 2007-08-02 at 05:00 -0500, Lars D. Noodén wrote:
> Also, I have one very big question about abstentions: from what I gather, 
> they count as a yes vote.  So any country that abstains, regardless of the 
> sounds their representatives make, is in effect voting in favor and has to 
> answer for that, not for the noises made by their representatives.  Deeds 
> not words.

It is important to understand how the standards process works. The
traditional way that ISO has always worked (and continues to work) is
that a standard is proposed; those who have an interest take a look and
vote; and those who are not, essentially ignore it. Among those who
choose to participate, if anyone objects, the standard is blocked until
the objection is resolved (if it ever is). A lot bodies might not even
read the standard, so they simply abstain.

In a world with over 100 countries, and where ISO members are all unpaid
volunteers with busy day-time jobs, this is actually a very reasonable
way to do things. It works well pretty much all the time. If it didn't
work this way, it'd be very hard to every agree on anything.

I note also that this is how the Fellowship works 99% of the time. We
don't have a formal vote on every decision. Usually someone (often me)
makes a proposal. A few people comment. Most people ignore it. Different
people get involved in different discussions, and most discussions are
ignored by most people. You don't generally call on people here to be
responsible for a decision they didn't participate in.

Back to ISO, getting 19 responses at the contradictions stage is, as far
as I understand it, highly unusual. This spec received a lot more
attention than is normal at this stage.

Best,
Daniel.
-- Spanish is essentially bad Italian.
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: not available
Type: application/pgp-signature
Size: 191 bytes
Desc: This is a digitally signed message part
Url : http://lists.opendocumentfellowship.com/pipermail/odf-discuss/attachments/20070208/c1d2508a/attachment-0001.pgp