[odf-discuss] Gnome Foundation and ECMA

[Jeff Waugh]

<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, to ensure that
OOXML (as defined in that working group) is sufficiently documented that we
are able to create a Free Software implementation with significantly less
pain than implementing their binary formats.

> Jody confirms there should be 2 standards

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

> and him being at TC45 resolving comments for ECMA for the main ISO ooxml
> vote in February, improving on OOXML for interoperability and Gnome
> implementing OOXML as much as possible as quickly as possible gives MS a
> huge weapon as an argument at the ISO for standardization and all this
> sponsored by Gnome.. Why would that not piss off everyone working on ODF
> adoption?

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.

> 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.

> If Gnome sent a representative with the Philosophy of only "one standard"
> it would not be as bad, but still questionable.

Again, we do not seek to control the opinions of our members. Jody is there
to ensure we get the most documentation out of the ECMA process as we can.
That bears no relation to "sponsorship of OOXML development" or "support for
OOXML as an ISO standard".

I'll point out again, Russell, that you are making strong statements and
assumptions without asking questions of the people involved.

- Jeff

-- 
  Jeff Waugh
  Director, GNOME Foundation
  m: +61 423 989 818
  p: +61 2 9318 0284
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