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

[Lars Noodén]

Pamela Jones wrote:
> What their strategies are?  I think that is clear enough. You would like
> them to have time to regroup and find better ways to attack ODF?

I concur.  Regardless of whether or how much affiliated these are with
M$, delay plays only to the benefit of M$ and to the detriment of open
standards.

> Their current difficulties are self-inflicted.  They have attacked not
> only ODF, not only companies, but individuals. I have some information
> that has drifted back to me that they are attacking individuals not only
> in public but in emails privately to those they try to influence. This
> email that wasn't supposed to be seen, allegedly, is the tip of the
> iceberg.

Leaks, unfortunately, are a big marketing tool in politics.  Given that
M$ has used leaks in the past, it would be a mistake to rule out the
risk now.  Regardless, for whatever reason, the message is now public
and independent of claims of motive does have to be addressed.

> It's a disgusting smear campaign, ...

Ok.  Post a link, it would make the solution so much easier with proof
of mischief.  But until we have *proof* the sad necessity is to have to
frame it with qualifiers:

 It *appears* to be a disgusting smear campaign ...
or
 It *looks like* a disgusting smear campaign ...
or
 It *leads one to conclude that* it is a disgusting smear campaign ...
or
 It *has all the trappings of* a disgusting smear campaign ...

 ... like those used before against X, Y, Z, ....

Nitpicking on wording aside, I have no doubts personally that it will
turn out to be some kind of smear campaign.  Probably nearly everyone
will agree that it appears to be so, but until then ...

> ... because their effectiveness depends on no one
> contradicting the smear.

Yes, delay also enhances the effectiveness ...

> For example, this story about W3c backing them up is not true. Period.

Correction of that falsehood needs some press.  Also Håkon Wium Lie
issued a misstatement last year(?) / earlier this year(?) about ODF
being a memory dump of OOo.  He's connected with the W3C and both errors
could be addressed at the same time.

Regards,
-Lars