[odf-discuss] Alex Brown on OOo ODF validity

[Lars Noodén]

> Simply because the political arguments about the technical issues
> obscure the stuff of real value.

Brown is simply working to stir up trouble by voicing claims he knows to
be incorrect to keep the dust cloud thick enough to hide the technical
issues.

Keep in mind that MS is not about technology and that it operates more
as a political movement[1].  Certainly we see here, as just about
everywhere else, that it cannot survive in a technical evaluation and
must turn everything it touches into a political fiasco.

Again, the apparently main motivation there is for MS to push its own
anti-technology agenda.

What you wrote in the other message has great merit:

	"...if we have one standard and everyone puts their
	weight behind it we can solve any of these minor
	problems and get to better and more consistent
	interoperability sooner and at less expense..."

If MS put even a fraction of the effort and resources into working with
OASIS on ODF as it has put into undermining ISO's credibility and
fighting ODF, then we'd have a lot of progress in regards to getting MS
products interoperable with the rest of the world.

MS customers are underwriting these activities.  So in the mean time the
more businesses and governments that vote with their wallets, the faster
we can get some resolution.

Having good import filters for the older legacy formats from MS would
eliminate the single main reason MOOX is marketed for.  Supposedly these
specifications are published or soon to be published.

-Lars

[1]	Though the terms used in-house like 'evangelism' and 'jihad' more
properly belong to religion:

	http://www.groklaw.net/article.php?story=20071023002351958