[odf-discuss] Fwd: W3C Lead on CDF says OpenDocument Fellowship Position on CDF Makes No Sense

[Ryan Singer]

Forwarded conversation
Subject: W3C Lead on CDF says OpenDocument Fellowship Position on CDF Makes
No Sense
------------------------

From: ** <Andrew.Updegrove at gesmer.com>
Date: Nov 9, 2007 8:21 AM
To: Andrew.Updegrove at gesmer.com



Earlier in the week, many technology reporters were wrestling with what to
make of the OpenDocument Foundation's announcement that it was abandoning
support for ODF in favor of CDF, a W3C specification-in-process that few
had ever heard of, and no one seemed to know much about.  Those that did
examine CDF were left puzzled trying to figure out how it could possibly
function as an alternative to ODF.

To find out the facts, I interviewed Chris Lilley, the W3C lead for the CDF
project, and his answer couldn't have been more clear:  "The one thing I'd
really want your readers to know is that CDF was not created to be, and
isn't suitable for use as, an office format."  In fact, it isn't even an
format at all - although it has been matched for export purposes with
another W3C specification, called WICD - but WICD is a non-editable format
intended for viewing only.  Moreover, no one from the Foundation has joined
W3C, nor explained to W3C what the Foundation's founders have in mind.

It is highly unfortunate that the founders of a tax exempt organization
that solicited donations, "To support the community of volunteers in
promoting, improving and providing user assistance for ODF and software
designed to operate on data in this format," should publicly announce that
it believes that ODF will fail.  By endorsing a standard that has no
rational relationship to office formats at all, they can only serve to
confuse the marketplace and undermine the efforts of the global community
they claimed to serve.

Further details are here:
http://www.consortiuminfo.org/standardsblog/article.php?story=20071109070012244

As always, please let me know if you would like to be removed from this
list.

Andrew Updegrove
Gesmer Updegrove LLP
40 Broad Street
Boston, Massachusetts  02109
T:  617/350-6800
F:  617/350-6878
www.gesmer.com
www.consortiuminfo.org


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----------
From: *Ryan Singer* <ryan.singer at gmail.com>
Date: Nov 9, 2007 9:01 AM
To: Andrew.Updegrove at gesmer.com


Andrew,

OpenDocument Fellowship != OpenDocument Foundation.  The Fellowship
does not agree with the new direction the foundation has taken.  Your
subject line mentions the fellowship, while the rest of your email is
about the foundation.  Please send out a correction.

--
Ryan Singer
Co-founder
OpenDocument Fellowship
650-743-2785
--
_________________
Ryan Singer
----------
From: ** <Andrew.Updegrove at gesmer.com>
Date: Nov 9, 2007 9:02 AM
To: Ryan.Singer at gmail.com


My sincere apologies - I'll change it immediately.

Andy



            "Ryan Singer"
            <ryan.singer at gmai
            l.com>                                                     To
                                      Andrew.Updegrove at gesmer.com
            11/09/2007 11:57                                           cc
            AM
                                                                  Subject
                                      Re: W3C Lead on CDF says
            Please respond to         OpenDocument Fellowship Position on
            Ryan.Singer at gmail         CDF Makes No Sense
                  .com



-- 
_________________
Ryan Singer
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