[odf-discuss] Gnome Foundation and ECMA

[Lars Noodén]

Jeff Waugh wrote:
> <quote who="Russell Ossendryver">
>> Although Jeff Waugh states "The GNOME Foundation does not support ISO
>> standardisation of OOXML" they are sponsoring the development of OOXML.
> 
> The GNOME Foundation is not "sponsoring" the development of OOXML. We are
> supporting Jody's participation in the ECMA working group...

So, in other words, GNOME really is backing development of MSOOXML via
Ecma.  And that is exactly the point in the open letter.

GNOME could easily clear up this misunderstanding by publishing a
statement clarifying their opposition to MSOOXML, the independence of
individual developers to do what they want, and the support for ISO's
"one standard" policy.

It's really darn hard to try to say with a straight face that GNOME is
not sponsoring/"sponsoring"/'sponsoring'/«sponsoring» the development of
MSOOXML, if GNOME is financially supporting (sponsoring)
participation/membership of a GNOME developer who is there in his role
as GNOME developer.

There are several problems with breaking ISO's one standard policy and
they have been gone over many times before.

> The GNOME Foundation does not seek to control the opinions of our members.

There is no problem with individuals from Gnome doing anything.  The
problem is that Gnome is sponsoring the development of MSOOXML via
supporting Jody's participation in Ecma.

If it is on his personal initiative let be on his personal tab.  However
trying to play with semantics (e.g. "we're not sponsoring development
against open standards, we're just paying for a developer to work
against open standards")  simply makes the situation worse.

> None of Jody's development work is sponsored by the GNOME Foundation. He is
> an independent, volunteer developer, like most other participants in the
> GNOME project. The Foundation does not seek to control the development goals
> of our members.

Then GNOME should make an official statement to that effect, because the
current appearances are that GNOME is backing Jody's actions to
undermine open standards.  Look at the comments on Slashdot and you'll
see that there is an uncommon level of agreement with that assessment.

>> If OOXML becomes and ISO it will  slow down ODF adoption and hence slow
>> down the Free Desktop also. That is obvious, so why are they helping?
> 
> The GNOME Foundation is not supporting or helping ISO standardisation of
> OOXML.

That's not what the begining of the message says with the words, "We are
supporting Jody's participation in the ECMA working group"

> ... Jody is there
> to ensure we get the most documentation out of the ECMA process as we can.

Which is it?  Is he there on his own?  Or is he there on Gnome's behalf?
Statements like "Jody is there to ensure we get the most documentation
out of the ECMA process as we can" sure make it look like he's there on
official GNOME business.

> That bears no relation to "sponsorship of OOXML development" or
> "support for OOXML as an ISO standard".

Ok.  Fine.  Then how about a press release distancing GNOME from the
actions of individuals and clarifying GNOME's position regarding ISO's
policy of one standard?

The open letter was not the first time people have commented about GNOME
appearing more and more as a catspaw for MS.  The letter just has the
bad luck to be highly visible.

If the GNOME board says flat out that this is a misunderstanding and that
	1) no GNOME money is going to Ecma
	2) GNOME developers are free do want they want, but as 	
	individuals, not as reps of GNOME
	3) GNOME opposes MSOOXML, as MSOOXML undermines interoperability
	efforts
	4) GNOME backs ISO's "one standard" policy

then a lot would get cleared up.

Regards,
-Lars