NoOOXML

TC45 at ECMA is working through the comments on the proposed ISO standard.

More FUD for those who don't understand

n this document, the problem of "standards" is presented from the position of the artist, in particular, with the issue of a second vote on the ISO adoption of Microsoft's OOXML.

... and backs the W3C-format "CDF" instead, citing both technical and IP-related reasons.

Philipp Schmidt, the most active campaigner against OOXML in Africa, is telling us a bit of his experience with the standard in African countries.

It has recently been proposed by the Globalisation Institute think tank that Microsoft should be forced to unbundle their OS from new OEM PCs, thus giving choice for consumers and breathing air for competitors in a market closed de facto, as it has been overwhelmingly dominated dy Microsoft for more than 20 years now. The approval of OOXML as an ISO standard would only solidify Microsoft already huge dominant market position. The proposal of unbundling Windows has automatically meet with many critics, but in this article, Con Zymarils refutes every objection and makes solid arguments in favor of the unbundling measure:

Mr. Virgil Vinţan has perished in a car crash.

Mr. Lassi Nirhamo, who chaired Finnish Standards Associations OOXML vote was laid off due to "lack of trust".

Google announced at the Google Code blog that they welcome the ISO decision to not approve the fast track of Office Open XML (OOXML) proposed standard DIS 29500 (ECMA 376). They highlight areas of concern in OOXML and mention the incompatibility with the existing ISO standard 26300:2006, the Open Document Format (ODF).

Due to spambots finally finding their way to this site, anonymous comments are no longer allowed.

some interesting tidbits on Microsoft's respect for and use of standards

Sign the online petition for Apple to support the OpenDocument Format.

After the official announcement at ISO, can we expect a small MSFT stock value drop ?

Secretariat Manager who approved OOXML's fast track submits his resignation.

Is that true ? For the majority of this site's readers, can somebody please confirm ?

A calm and well-reasoned look at OOXML and its standarization process. Are Microsoft's days a de-facto standard-setter indeed numbered?

Get rich quick! That is what an ISO fast track procedure is for. The ISO process is a gold mine, for partners, standard bodies and otherwise. Open XML is good for business. Today a wonderful ISO Fast-track announcement. ISO opens another round of commercial opportunities that will end February 2008.

To your last point, it's hard for Microsoft to commit to what comes out of Ecma in the coming years, because we don't know what direction they will take the formats.

Here's the ISO official press release

http://www.macworld.com/news/2007/09/04/isorejects/index.php