[odf-discuss] Re: countering Patrick Durusau's public statement favoring OOXML as an ISO standard

[Christian Einfeldt]

hi

On Wed, Mar 26, 2008 at 11:08 AM, Christian Einfeldt <einfeldt at gmail.com>
wrote:

>
> Of course, I am a simple end user, and so I am in no position to disagree
> with Patrick about the technical merits of OOXML gaining ISO status; but it
> seems as if there are non-technical concerns that outweigh the technical
> merits of OOXML gaining ISO status.


My primary concern has to do with Microsoft's prominence in the document
creation market.  The problem is that Microsoft has broken a free market
with its illegal anti-competitive behavior, as well documented by all of the
governmental actions taken against Microsoft both in the US and in the EU.

Patrick's position favoring ISO status for OOXML is supported by other
prominent developers such as Miguel de Icaza, Jody Goldberg, and Jeff Waugh,
and is therefore deserving of respect, but not lengthy consideration,
because those esteemed developers have not adequately taken into account the
social ramifications of OOXML as an ISO standard; nor have they adequately
addressed how OOXML as an ISO will affect markets.

If Microsoft were not so dominant in the document creation market, we would
have more leeway to consider the technical merits of the positions put
forward by MIguel, Jody, and Jeff.  On balance, however, the risks to the
market by OOXML as a standard outweigh the benefits of OOXML gaining ISO
status.  I would submit, therefore, that we should come up with a statement
by a respected developer and other respected members of our community
opposing Patrick's most recent statement.

Also, most of the benefit from the opening of OOXML has already been
obtained.  As part of the ISO approval status, Microsoft has made available
some documentation.  But once they gain ISO status, it is probably quite
likely that Microsoft will suddenly halt its process of opening data about
its specifications, as they will have achieved their goal, and will stand
nothing further to gain by further disclosures.

In fact, it seems quite likely that Microsoft will merely continue to
develop its Office product without regard to the specification.  Microsoft
views Office itself as the standard, and at no time prior to the 2006
approval of ODF as a standard did Microsoft open any specifications to the
public.  It seems as if this brief period of limited openness on Microsoft's
part will rapidly wane once they have achieved ISO status.  Because after
all, who would really develop for OOXML other than Microsoft?  No one.
Contrast that situation with ODF, where there are a variety of different
projects collaborating and competing with real world office productivity
suites revolving around the truly ODF standard.

thanks either way for considering my position.

-- 
Christian Einfeldt,
Producer, The Digital Tipping Point
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