[odf-discuss] OOXML: The next step

[Pete Harlow]

On 03/04/2008, marbux <marbux at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Short story here: push for a conformity assessment procedure for OOXML and
> you'll immediately be pushed back to provide a link to the conformity
> assessment procedure is for ODF. You'll be left flat-footed, because there
> is none.
>

You have a valid point there, Paul.

Another thing to bear in mind is that standards compliance can be used to
protect the position of dominant companies at the expense of small start
ups.

A long time ago, I used to work as a consultant for two very different
outfits. One was a spin-off from a large defence company trying to diversify
into the commercial field, the other a small two man startup.

At the larger company ISO 9001 conformity was a shambles, but every time the
assessors came round, so I was told, they looked at a couple of specimen
files, were taken out to a large lunch and duly rubber stamped the
certificate in the afternoon.

The smaller company fully embraced not just the letter but also the spirit
of ISO 9001, and full quality documentation existed for every item that went
out of the door. But they were in no financial position to apply for 9001
certification, and thus could not tender for certain contracts.

Have a good weekend,
-- 
Pete Harlow
Catnip Corner - Photography by Pete Harlow - http://www.catnip.co.uk/
http://www.catnip.co.uk/wallpaper/
"La couleur est l'enthousiasme de la vie." (Vincent Van Gogh)
Please use ODF Open Document Format (.odt - .ods - .odp - .odg) to send me
documents
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://lists.opendocumentfellowship.com/pipermail/odf-discuss/attachments/20080404/3008afb8/attachment.html