02.22.08
Some Old and New Irregularities Surrounding the BRM in Geneva
Introducing chairman Steve Ballmer, new head of ISO
We continue to treat the BRM in Geneva like a farce and we do so for many valid reasons [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. You are advised to look back at past writings if you are not familiar with some of the more mind-blowing abuses, which include Microsoft’s sole representation of entire nations. Watch this new refresher.
The BRM can change whatever it wants can it? A briefing message from the convenor of the BRM contributes to substancial irritation among the BRM delegates that are not sacked yet.
As another quick reminder, be aware that Microsoft is tossing people in and out, left and right. It’s reshaping ISO to make it become a puppet regime. Given what we find in Microsoft’s proxy war against Yahoo (overthrowing the existing board and directors), none of this should be surprising. The only suprising thing here is that no authority restrains and punishes this bully, which some people continue to view as a software powerhouse.
In newer reports, here is what we have just come to find about Rick Jelliffe, the man who still fights for Microsoft.
The Pro-OOXML lobbyists a la Rick Jeliffe were prompt to demonstrate with fancy graphics how “The Editor (Rex Jaeschke on behalf of ECMA TC45) has accepted the lion’s share.” Graphics that are now being reused by Microsoft in other documents prepared to convinced NBs that everything is fine, Microsoft/Ecma accepted most comments.
This is amazing! The gaming knows no boundaries. How about the fact that all those countries which proudly claim that they have had comments addressed never properly reviewed OOXML? What about all those countries that decided to vote at the last moment? Did they read 6,000+ of technical documentation just the night before the vote and then wrote down their comments addressing each and every one of those pages? Have a look.
Given that NBs were never given the time necessary to review the whole specification, that the little review that could be done has revealed a low quality level, plus the fact that the BRM is limited to discussing the issues that were raised from partial reviews, no matter what happens at the BRM, there is plenty left for one to say “I can’t live with it”. It would actually be unprofessional not to.
If OOXML is passed as a standard, this will be a first-class fiasco, from which ISO may never recover (ECMA will be percieved as just a notorious accomplice). One might then say that ISO died in a proxy war against Microsoft — a war which it had lost. Let’s wish Yahoo good luck in its own proxy war. Reports say that Yahoo employees are nervous, even terrified. They struggle to get much work done. Watch this comment from 2 days ago. █
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.
Rui Miguel Silva Seabra said,
February 23, 2008 at 7:29 pm
Rick Jellife never approved a comment of mine in which I correct him when he said “Sun and IBM didn’t like the rules in Portugal”.
The rules were grossly disrespected in Portugal, and both Sun and IBM made some protest for this reason.
Roy Schestowitz said,
February 23, 2008 at 8:45 pm
Yes, they were shut out of the meeting. More recently it was realised that Microsoft (an employee) would represent Portugal in Geneva. There are other documented incidents in Portugal and similar stories from other parts of Europe such as Germany.