[odf-discuss] [Fwd: OOXML]

[Daniel Carrera]

On Thu, 2007-01-25 at 15:31 -0800, marbux wrote:
> Where did I suggest that people try to bully ISO or anyone else?

You need to relax. It's a figure of speech. It's a reference to how you
get politicians to do what you want. Through public pressure.


> I do have a huge amount of experience in lobbying,

May I suggest that this is precisely the problem? I posit that you don't
deal with ISO the way you deal with an MP, or Massachusetts, or any
political entity. I do claim to know the perfect way to approach ISO,
but I do advice everyone to keep in mind that ISO is not your local
congressman. At least in theory, they should make decisions on technical
merit, and they are not used to lobbying the way your MP, or
Massachusetts might be. I advice everyone to keep that in mind when they
write, lest your attempt back-fire. I think this is sound advice.

As for the specific question that you raised, about whether sending a
lot of messages was advisable (you brought it up, not me), I point out
that the GrokDoc page on contacting ISO happens to suggest that people
not spam ISO. It even has a sign up list so everyone knows that someone
is already contacting a given member. I don't propose that every
organization be limited to exactly one contact, but I do propose that,
for example, a massive write-in campaign where everyone merely says
"reject ECMA!" has a fair risk of back-firing in a way that it never
would if you were talking to Massachusetts or your MP or your governor.

I do not claim to have a perfect approach. I merely point out a
difference in who you are talking to that is relevant in how you
approach them. Everyone on this list is an intelligent person who can
make a sound decision on their own. I just indicate a relevant
considration.

Daniel.
-- 
May you live in interesting times.
May people in high places take notice of you.
May all your wishes come true.
  -- Chinese curse.