[odf-discuss] Gnome, Ecma, and what governments (and FOSS?) should have done

[M. Fioretti]

On Sat, Nov 03, 2007 09:21:48 AM -0400, Jody Goldberg (jody at gnome.org)
wrote:

> On Thu, Nov 01, 2007 at 10:44:18AM +0100, M. Fioretti wrote:
> > 
> > *BUT* it is the way it is happening, that is inside the
> > standardization process, that is de-facto helping them to get ISO
> > labels, that seems wrong and really counterproductive to me.
> 
> MS was forced to submit their spec for standardisation as the MS
> Office file format.

MS submitted the spec for standardisation because they know very well
that:

- it is their ONLY way and hope to not accept ODF
- once they have that label they are free to screw everybody in many
  other ways

> It it only by operating through the standardisation process that we
> get the opportunity to ask questions.

If we accept to bend over backwards and keep them at the center of the
universe, you are right, that _is_ the only way. If full compatibility
with existing MS files is not negotiable, then there is no need at all
for ODF, and no need at all for OOXML either, really: let's just go on
with the MS formats as they are today. And all this brouhaha becomes
absolutely useless and we should ALL (we, the ODF foundation, the
fellowship, people paid with public or private money to make OOXML an
ISO standard, everybody) really go find better ways to spend our time;
save the whales, stop global warming, contact UFOs, you name it.

> > 3) You (Microsoft) created this mess with existing files, you
> >    clean it up...
>
> A wonderful thought, but we're more likely to meet the easter bunny.

Probably. Thanks for making easier for ODF to become just as concrete
as the Easter bunny or for, at least, not focusing to strengthen what
is certainly the lesser evil, if not THE only solution viable in this
particular moment. Have you noticed that the recurring theme of every
critique here is "please stop being so naive to call this a purely
technical issue"?

Have a nice weekend,
			Marco
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