____/ HighPlainsThumper on Tuesday 16 October 2007 22:57 : \____
> [H]omer wrote:
>> Too many new P members who were only interested in taking
>> bribes for OOXML support, now hold back the standards process
>> with apathy:
>>
>> <quote> One of the more egregious behaviors observed in the
>> recent vote on OOXML was the sudden and last minute surge to
>> join not only various National Bodies just before they voted
>> on OOXML, but also the relevant committee of ISO/IEC for the
>> same purpose.
>>
>> [...]
>>
>> SC 34 is one of the more important and active committees in
>> JTC1, and has a constant stream of standards under active
>> consideration and balloting. In anticipation of the OOXML
>> vote, its membership surged – with 23 new National Body
>> members, and the number of P members spiking by 11. When
>> almost all of the new members voted for adoption (most of
>> those countries that were long term members voted against
>> adoption, with comments), many felt that the standard setting
>> process had been abused.
>>
>> But unfortunately, the damage has not stopped there: since the
>> OOXML ballot closed on September 2, not a single ballot has
>> received enough votes to count in this important committee.
>> Why? Because the last minute arrivals to SC 34 are not
>> bothering to vote.
>>
>> The resulting gridlock of this committee was as predictable as
>> it is unfortunate. </quote>
>>
>> Microsoft, like an 800lb gorilla in a china shop, have once
>> again taken something valuable and broken it. They may not
>> create (innovate), but they certainly are very adept at
>> destruction. They must be proud, after all, by all accounts
>> they profit very well by it.
>
> This article is of good interest:
>
> http://www.websterscafe.com/news.php?extend.113
>
> [quote]
> ISO reforms proposed in response to OOXML shenanigans
>
> Late last month, evidence emerged indicating that Microsoft has
> used financial incentives to influence the outcome of Office Open
> XML (OOXML) fast-track approval in various national standards
> bodies. Although ISO ended up voting against fast-track approval
> for OOXML, the company's efforts have created doubts about the
> reliability of the standards process. In response to these
> revelations, Freecode CEO Geir Isene has proposed several ISO
> reforms and calls for an "investigation" to determine if OOXML
> "was unduly put on the ISO fast track."
>
> Isene argues that Microsoft's ability to influence the standards
> process at the national level reflects fundamental problems in
> the standards process itself. In a blog entry, Isene outlines
> some of the problems that have emerged in countries where
> Microsoft allegedly manipulated standards approval bodies,
> including Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Portugal, and Malaysia.
> "Even if this is the tip of an iceberg," writes Isene, "the
> examples should warrant a thorough examination of the national
> processes."
> [/quote]
>
> This is simply wrong. A standard should be able to stand on its
> own without undue financial incentives (bribery).
>
> [quote]
> "The strength, integrity and scalability of ISO have been
> tested," writes Isene. "The organization's agility and
> adaptability will now be measured." Indeed, the ISO fast-track
> approval process for OOXML has revealed some weaknesses in the
> standardization process and illuminates the need for potential
> reform. The viability of Isene's reforms are debatable, but
> national standards bodies certainly need to make an effort to
> reduce the potential for direct manipulation.
> [/quote]
>
> The US is already in Microsoft's hip pocket. We don't need
> others to follow suite also.
The ISO, just like Ecma is very pro-Microsoft in-house it seems. I can list a
lot of evidence if you require here. The standards bodies were corrupted by
the Microsoft Money Machine. It's time to shut them (Microsoft or the bodies)
down.
--
~~ Best of wishes
Roy S. Schestowitz | "All your archives are (sic) belong to Google"
http://Schestowitz.com | Open Prospects | PGP-Key: 0x74572E8E
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