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

[Jody Goldberg]

We've got some groceries, the kids have finished skating, tae kwon
do, and swimming.  The BBQ is warming up, and dinner is ready to go
on.  It's time for round two.

ding!

No disrespect is intended, I need to lighten the mood a touch

> Jody Goldberg wrote:
>> On Fri, Nov 02, 2007 at 11:13:47PM -0400, Pamela Jones wrote:
>>>
>>> Will GNOME split give Microsoft Open XML standards win?
>>>
>> This is a self inflicted wound.  It's not MS that is making this
>> argument it's you.  These stories are appearing _now_ as a result of
>> this discussion.  By worrying that MS may do something, we are
>
> On Sat, Nov 03, 2007 at 04:56:10AM +0100, Pamela Jones wrote:
> A lot of us think you are doing real harm to the community's interest. 
> Should we be quiet? That isn't the community way.
>
> Or should you think about what everyone is trying to tell you and alter 
> your course?
>
> It's up to you. But no one is going to be quiet.

There's more than a hint of hypocrisy here.  I'm being told not to
voice criticism of ODF or even appear to be related to OOX for fear
of it being used to harm the community interest.  The refrain of
'stop being naive, consider the politics' is repeated again and
again.  It can apply just as easily to your commentary.  The
difference being that this manufactured controversy is not
hypothetical future damage, it's starting to become real current
damage.

This could easily have been solved with a quick private discussion
to clarify my intent, and some trust that I am not trying to hide
something.  The choice to make it loud, public, to frequently resort
to hints of nefarious intent harms the community, and is bad
politics.

Please ask the questions.  Your work on Groklaw is superb.  Making
you or anyone else quiet is the last thing on my mind.  However,
consider the political implications, and try a bit more diplomancy.