06.23.07
Gentle Request: Sign the “No OOXML” Petition
If you have a moment, please sign the petition that opposes Microsoft’s OOXML. Almost 5,000 people have done so by now. Sadly, victims of Microsoft deals now support OOXML (because they must). If you are unconvinced, you can track the developments which we have covered since November.
The petition’s arguments, which are presented in the form of bulletpoints, cover some of the more obvious issues. Recall some of the — shall we say — corruption involved in getting OOXML as far as it has gone. Gross manipulation of standards body and legislation should not be tolerated, so please make yourself heard and stand up for free competition.
Thank you.
Highlight: Novell was the first to acknowledge that Microsoft FUD tactics had substance. Novell then used anti-Linux FUD to market itself. 
Highlight: Xandros let Microsoft make patent claims and brag about (paid-for) OOXML support. 
Highlight: Linspire's CEO not only fell into Microsoft arms, but he also assisted the company's attack on GNU/Linux. 
Highlight: Microsoft craves pseudo (proprietary) standards and gets its way using proxies and influence which it buys. 
Highlight: The invasion into the open source world is intended to leave Linux companies neglected, due to financial incentives from Microsoft. 
Analysis: Xen, an open source hypervisor, possibly fell victim to Microsoft's aggressive (and stealthy) acquisition-by-proxy strategy.