12.04.07
Novell Vice President Again Defends Microsoft’s OOXML
All of this was expected (and even scheduled). Just as Miguel de Icaza, as (now former) President of the GNOME Foundation may have had GNOME associated with OOXML through ECMA presence, de Icaza, now wearing his Novell hat (mind the listings in the event) defends OOXML.
Who is Novell fooling? As far as attendant of the XML 2007 conference are concerned, Novell, represented by de Icaza in this case, opines that OOXML is needed.
During the XML 2007 interoperability panel — sponsored by Microsoft and of which Rajagopalan was a part — the ongoing battles that have raged for the past couple of years between Microsoft and the backers of ODF were a mere sidenote.
You can read some remarks in Mary Jo Foley’s blog. █
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.
Jeff Waugh said,
December 4, 2007 at 5:18 pm
You’re doing this thing again, always raising irrelevant issues to insinuate and sledge. You just can’t resist this irresponsible muck-raking, despite the fact that the truth of the matter has already been clearly communicated.
As noted in my post about GNOME and Novell, and in the GNOME Foundation’s plans to fix our chairman/president naming issues, Miguel was entirely inactive in that role, and had no influence on the Board regarding these issues (or any others).
I know you’re going to keep bringing it up because you think it’s amusing, but just so your readers know: This is precisely the behaviour that makes “Boycott Novell” look foolish, and stops it from serving the community in a positive way.
Just get over it Roy, and do the right thing for a change.
Roy Schestowitz said,
December 4, 2007 at 5:36 pm
I disagree with your whole assessment, Jeff. None of this “amusing”. This has nothing to do with a GNOME-Novell connection. In an interview with a Microsoft magazine, Miguel de Icaza claimed to have had several hats, one of which grants him a position of authority at Novell. This has nothing to do with GNOME.
The main purpose is this post is to point out that Novell is out there supporting OOXML, even if it’s only a one-man crusade. That man happens to be a representative. A sole representative.
You need to stop attacking the messenger and actually address some burning issues. These are issues that were brought up before, but none of you dared to challenge them.
Jeff Waugh said,
December 4, 2007 at 5:45 pm
Ah, so if it’s nothing to do with GNOME, and given that GNOME is not at all relevant here, I suppose you’ll avoid mentioning GNOME in relation to this story? And in particular, avoid bringing up GNOME-related issues that have already been dealt with?
No, it seems not. You’re still making these insinuations, despite their irrelevance to either the truth, or the immediate story.
Roy, if you have questions, my door is open. But you’re not interested in doing any research, particularly with the relevant and knowledgeable stakeholders (even though GNOME is utterly irrelevant to this story)… You only have sensationalist insinuations and conspiracy theories.
Do the right thing, Roy.
Roy Schestowitz said,
December 4, 2007 at 6:39 pm
Jeff,
For me, this issue was never entirely resolved (I think that you already know this). From where I stand I see a president stepping down amid times when GNOME (Foundation) is criticised for its OOXML stance/actions. It is very clear how Miguel feels about OOXML. Trying to deny his influence in GNOME is fine (it makes things much better), but it’s akin to someone apologising for poor authorities (WoMD come to mind), which cannot improve the image of a nation as a whole. OK, this is a poor analogy for various reasons, but the point worth making here is that saying “Yes, my president has the high chair, but he doesn’t do much” is reasoning so difficult to defend.
How independent from GNOME is Miguel? Evolution comes with GNOME in quite a few GNU/Linux distributions and it seems clear from his blog that there is still involvement — however indirect it might be. Separating GNOME desktop from Evolution, for example, is not like separating car from carpet; It’s more like separating Java from JavaScript.
Jeff Waugh said,
December 4, 2007 at 6:51 pm
Read my post. Show some respect. Do your research. I shouldn’t have to come here and correct you over and over again because you refuse to actually ask the people who know what’s going on. I comment here for the benefit of your readers who may be confused by your abject lack of relevant information. You know *how* to do active, responsible research, now you just need to pluck up the gumption to actually do it and be accountable for it.
Roy Schestowitz said,
December 4, 2007 at 7:18 pm
You have not answered a single question. Your last comment seemed like a case of escaping the point I’d made.
Jeff Waugh said,
December 4, 2007 at 7:24 pm
Roy, you’re very welcome to ask me questions as a matter of responsible and respectful research. Posting comments directed towards me on your blog is not responsible and respectful research.