Re: OOXML [was Re: GNOME Foundation Board Meeting Minutes :: 7/6/07]

[Jody Goldberg <jody gnome org>]

On Tue, Oct 30, 2007 at 02:55:07PM +0000, Rui Miguel Silva Seabra wrote:
> On Tue, Oct 30, 2007 at 07:00:58AM -0400, Jody Goldberg wrote:
> > 2) OOX is a file format that is in use, and we will have to interact
> >    with it.  The opportunity to improve the spec and have MS answer
> >    questions and clarify necessary details should not be wasted.
> 
> Microsoft has done it's very best to ensure it doesn't *have*to* improve
> the spec, to avoid any questions, and not clarify anything.

That statement is false.

The SpreadsheetML rep may not have been thrilled with my questions,
but the majority were answered.  More people could have joined ECMA,
or participated in the ISO review process constructively had they
wanted to.   MS is far for perfect, but the team working with ECMA
has been helpful and cordial.   There may be some Machiavellian evil
designs back in Redmond pulling their strings, but doing the right
thing for the wrong reasons is still doing the right thing.

Better docs for their formats is better for the FLOSS community.
 
> >     'the MS Office XML File Format'
> > and that we should do everything we can to improve the specification
> > of that and any other format we interact with.
> 
> I've really really tried, but ...

Nonsense.  When GNOME joined ECMA I made an open request for other
members to join the TCs of interest.  You could easily have
contacted me and had direct access to the MS reps.  With the
capability to open issues and suggestions on how to clarify the
spec.
 
> > If that level of disagreement is unacceptable in the community
> > then I can leave ECMA and request that they discontinue the
> > GNOME Foundation's membership.
> 
> It would seem you aren't making that strong an effort to represent the
> possibility of Free Software developers fully implementing the standard,
> maybe you should in fact make it better, rather than threaten to leave.

This was an offer not a threat.  I'd be charitable characterising my
thoughts as a minority opinion in GNOME, and the FLOSS community.
It is uncomfortable acting as a representative of the foundation in
a role that many members do not agree should exist.  My private
preferences should not negatively impact the foundation, or go
against the will of the majority of members.  I offer to step down
if the board feels this membership is detrimental to GNOME.

Snide comments about not making a 'strong an effort' to 'fully'
'make it better' are rude.  The Novell reps and I are the only FLOSS
or ODF aware people who have bothered to join ECMA TC45.  Start
helping out and I'll take your pontification more seriously.