The Microsoft OOXML Contradictions in ISO/IEC Revealed

Posted by Andy_Updegrove on Mar 1, 2007 10:35 AM EDT
ConsortiumInfo.org Standards Blog; By Andy Updegrove
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Someone was kind enough to send me the package of materials distributed by ISO/IEC JTC 1 earlier today to its members. The package contains each of the responses filed during the ISO Fast Track Contradictions period for Ecma 376, the specification based upon Microsoft's OOXML formats, as well as the responses prepared by Ecma to those responses. As earlier reported, they are strongly negative.

Earlier, Microsoft had downplayed reports by myself and others that the great majority of the responses were negative, suggesting that most or many were either neutral, or in fact "laudatory." In fact, the actual responses demonstrate that 14 of 20 responses - more than 2/3s - were clearly negative, two indicated divisions of opinion among the members of the national bodies submitting them, three were inconclusive or neutral, and one offered no objections. What happens next? The transmittal note from JTC1 indicates that after internal consultation, next steps will be communicated to the National Bodies "in the very near future." But given the degree of opposition and concern expressed by a significant percentage of those national bodies entitled to vote up or down on adoption, it's fair to say that Microsoft has its work cut out for it, if it wants to see OOXML achieve the same degree of international standards status as ODF.

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The negative responses carry the day! beirwin 0 1,076 Mar 1, 2007 4:31 PM

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