05.15.08
Setting the Record Straight on OOXML and Silverblight [sic]
Could Vote Rigging Get Any More Obvious Than This?
Many shameless deniers — spearheaded primarily through disinformation, which is notably disseminated by Microsoft — are out there continuing to rewrite history, badly. Let it be reiterated that the OOXML saga was so abundantly filled with corruption that setting up a page summarising it all is nearly impossible. There are literally hundreds of separate scandals that come to mind. One interesting new find is this one.
Microsoft Puppet countries are leaving the P membership. Lebanon, Turkey, Cyprus, and Trinidad & Tobago have already dropped out. All those countries voted Yes without comments to OOXML.
Let’s clarify what we see here. Andy Updegrove was astounded (he even publicly complained) around August last year when several nations suddenly joined in to vote for ‘no apparent reason’ (it was obvious to a prudent observer that knows all about OOXML).
The countries stayed there not only for the September 2007 vote, but for the second one at the end of March 2008 too. Now that it’s all over, just a month after the announcement from ISO, suddenly they drop out again (”back to normal, business as usual”), having just accomplished their mission, so to speak. Assignment completed.
It’s mildly amusing actually because Microsoft’s puppet don’t even try hard enough to cover their tracks by lingering on and sticking around for a while longer. It’s very revealing. Don’t believe us? Ask the man who was in charge before being replaced by another Microsoft puppet. Here is what he said:
“This year WG1 have had another major development that has made it almost impossible to continue with our work within ISO. The influx of P members whose only interest is the fast-tracking of ECMA 376 as ISO 29500 has led to the failure of a number of key ballots. Though P members are required to vote, 50% of our current members, and some 66% of our new members, blatantly ignore this rule despite weekly email reminders and reminders on our website. As ISO require at least 50% of P members to vote before they start to count the votes we have had to reballot standards that should have been passed and completed their publication stages at Kyoto. This delay will mean that these standards will appear on the list of WG1 standards that have not been produced within the time limits set by ISO, despite our best efforts.
The disparity of rules for PAS, Fast-Track and ISO committee generated standards is fast making ISO a laughing stock in IT circles. The days of open standards development are fast disappearing. Instead we are getting “standardization by corporation”, something I have been fighting against for the 20 years I have served on ISO committees. I am glad to be retiring before the situation becomes impossible. I wish my colleagues every success for their future efforts, which I sincerely hope will not prove to be as wasted as I fear they could be.”
–Martin Bryan, ISO ‘Escapee’
Formerly Convenor, ISO/IEC JTC1/SC34 WG1
Speaking of ISO being hijacked, we mentioned this earlier today and it needn’t be doubted anymore. Many other strategic ‘forts’ got hijacked by Microsoft. Yes! Obey Microsoft or be bullied, even if you are a distinguished professor or a government official (probably several).
Another Clarification: OpenOffice.org Does Not Support OOXML
We stressed this before, but Microsoft and its apologists — even a few who are deceived inside the FOSS world unfortunately, trolls in this site included — continue to repeat the self-justifying nonsense. Let’s just say that again: OpenOffice.org does not support OOXML. Put more clearly:
Some others take a more pragmatical approach, but even that one is very much telling about the whole OOXML farce. In this category, we find the OpenOffice.org project. Despite what Microsoft will tell you, OpenOffice.org does not and will not provide OOXML « interoperability » . It will however provide an import filter that users will be able to use in order to import documents formatted in the format used by Microsoft Office 2007 and 2008 that bears the name of Microsoft Office Open XML(OOXML). What this means is that the OpenOffice.org project has to work directly on the files edited and created by MS Office 2007 and 2008 in order to provide compatibility and does not use the OOXML specification, as it is not implemented by MS Office 2007 and Microsoft Office 2008. So much for interoperability. The jury is still out, by the way, on the search for OOXML implementations. The ones that exist are either broken or else very limited (even the famous Novell plugin).
Once again you can hopefully see the role of an OOXML villain called Novell, which did a big favour to Microsoft in exchange for cash. Speaking of which, Mary Jo Foley disappointed yesterday with a headline suggesting that “Silverlight for Linux” is now available. There is no “Silverlight for Linux” and therefore it’s an inaccurate and deceiving headline that gives Web developers the wrong impression. Microsoft refused to support GNU/Linux, so instead it used Novell to make a clone that’s always behind and requires patent ‘protection’. It’s the perfect arrangement for Microsoft, which even Miguel de Icaza has denounced by now. Appended below are some new bits of information about Flash.
Why JavaFX (Maybe Flash) and Not Silverlight
Regarding Flash versus Silverlight, we have discussed this before.
In today’s news you might discover that Adobe was kind enough to finally treat GNU/Linux like a first-class citizen, at least as far as the Flash player goes (it made such promises back in 2006 but only in vain):
Once piece of welcome news is that Adobe is releasing the Flash Player 10 beta for all major platforms — Windows, Mac and Linux. Adobe has even upped the Linux ante with a new installer specially tailored for Ubuntu users. Barclay says that Adobe considers Linux a major platform and will continue to make all Flash releases simultaneous across platforms.
This is important because the Web is increasingly becoming a semi-replacement for some native applications. Here is a new article about this trend, with focus on Adobe AIR.
Twhirl is built on Adobe AIR, which has a lightweight client library that allows Web developers to use familiar tools and languages to build first-class desktop applications. Software created with AIR is fully interactive and network-enabled, with a rich UI. But unlike traditional Web applications, AIR apps gain the immediacy and user engagement that come from running outside the browser window.
Also recent is the following article which suggests that an open source Adobe Flash player might be inevitable: (colouring in red is ours)
Both Otte and Savoye do see some limited good coming out of the Open Screen Project. Otte suggests that the growing openness of Adobe might help to reduce the reservations in the free software community about working to reproduce proprietary technologies, as well as “the general ‘flash is evil’ attitude” that prevails in the community.”
Moreover, both Otte and Savoye see the announcement as a hopeful sign. “I think Adobe will open up Flash in the end, or at least the Flash player,” Otte says.
It refers to the following recent announcement:
Software maker Adobe announced Thursday that it would drop many of the licensing requirements attached to its Flash technology, which is used to display video and audio content on the web.
Let’s not forget that Adobe is now in the Linux Foundation, but there’s still work to be done.
I would hope that Zemlin will encourage Adobe to now treat Linux as a first class citizen as opposed to an afterthought for release after Windows.
I hope Zemlin will pressure Adobe to finally actually make Flash — not just the player — but Flash CS3 Professional, (the core Flash development tool) available for Linux as a fully commercially available and supported product. It is somewhat ironic in my opinion that Adobe can join the Linux Foundation, claim to support Linux and yet not offer its flagship Flash development tool on Linux.
Last but not least, as far as RIAs go, be aware that JavaFX is GPLv2-licensed. It’s probably the one to promote at the moment. █
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.
Alex H. said,
May 15, 2008 at 10:31 am
“What this means is that the OpenOffice.org project has to work directly on the files edited and created by MS Office 2007 and 2008 in order to provide compatibility and does not use the OOXML specification, as it is not implemented by MS Office 2007 and Microsoft Office 2008″
Ok. So if we say that Microsoft Office doesn’t output OOXML, we can then say OpenOffice.org doesn’t support OOXML because it’s only designed to work with files that come out of Office. Nice piece of logic.
I’m somewhat saddened that you continue to misrepresent what Miguel said, though. He rightly criticized the deal to use non-free video codecs in Moonlight.
It’s also sad that you continue to boost Flash, which has *exactly the same* non-free codec problem as Moonlight. Actually, worse: you can leave the non-free codecs out of Moonlight and use free ones. The Adobe Flash player is entirely non-free, and there’s still no open spec. for Shockwave.
Sad also that you boost Adobe AIR, which again is totally non-free. Can we even create a free version? The EULA says “Adobe has the right to impose reasonable conditions and to request a reasonable fee before providing such information.” - http://labs.adobe.com/technologies/eula/air.html .
First class citizen indeed.
gggggg said,
May 15, 2008 at 2:16 pm
“I’m somewhat saddened that you continue to misrepresent what Miguel said, though. He rightly criticized the deal to use non-free video codecs in Moonlight.”
I’m not at all surprised that you continue to misrepresent what Miguel said, though. Because that is not what he said at all. But go ahead and continue to spread disinformation.
He didn’t criticized anything. He, like the hypocrite that he is, tried wash out the “blame”, “guilt” whatever you want to called it. Put the responsibility on others for things that he has done and continue to do.
Isn’t he a Vice President? Yes, he is!
“Vice President of Developer Platform”
Of course, no responsibility at all. A pawn.
He has no right to criticize anything, because he agree with it freely.
If he didn’t agree with the terms of the agreement he should have said so at that time. Not an year after. Why does continue to work there? Why does he continue to work and promote something that he disagrees?
Why does he continue to develop and promote “Moonlight” and “Silverlight” if he doesn’t agree with license terms and that he views that agreement as harming Open Source?
The answer to all that? He is an hypocrite! And so you are!
That is no surprise at all!
You make me sick. You and your brothers Microsoft’ puppets.
Niklas (sic!) Koswinkle said,
May 15, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Oh, how adult you are, ‘gggg’… How do you expect to be taken seriously if you write such shut?
Note: comment has been flagged for arriving from a possible incarnation of a known (eet), pseudonymous, forever-nymshifting, abusive Internet troll that posts from open proxies and relays around the world.
Niklas (sic!) Koswinkle said,
May 15, 2008 at 2:21 pm
shit
^_^
Note: comment has been flagged for arriving from a possible incarnation of a known (eet), pseudonymous, forever-nymshifting, abusive Internet troll that posts from open proxies and relays around the world.
gggggg said,
May 15, 2008 at 2:25 pm
Now, to the guy that writes this blog.
GET A GRIP!
Adobe, Flash and Adobe AIR are as Open as Fort Knox!
Adobe is a proprietary company, with proprietary products.
It’s not a “knight in shining armor”.
If you want to “defeat” Microsoft and Novell, PROMOTE OPEN SOURCE PRODUCTS. STOP WHINING!
Flash is utter crap. Silverlight/Moonlight can not be worse than that!
JavaFX is vapourware. It will not go anywhere!
The prospect of having instead of only one application eating all memory and CPU time, having several of them doing the same is wonderful.
And their “RICH UIS”. Yeah, right! Adding crappy window decorations like “Windows Vista” and the new KDE4 will certainly make these things better than “sliced bread”.
Again to the guy that writes this blog!
GROW THE F+++ UP! NOW!
gggggg said,
May 15, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Mr. Niklas (sic!) Koswinkle…
“I” don’t need to be taken seriously. I am not a prophet.
What I wrote is the truth. If you don’t agree, provide rebuttal evidence.
I’m sorry that you don’t how write “shut”. You’ll learn. You’re on the right track already. The first step to be an hypocrite is to lie to yourself.
I wish you all the best in that journey.
Niklas (sic!) Koswinkle said,
May 15, 2008 at 4:38 pm
He, he; finally someone who tries to be more of a troll than Roy himself.
Please stay, Mr. gggg, we’ll feed you.
Note: comment has been flagged for arriving from a possible incarnation of a known (eet), pseudonymous, forever-nymshifting, abusive Internet troll that posts from open proxies and relays around the world.
Roy Schestowitz said,
May 15, 2008 at 5:23 pm
‘gggggg’, I don’t promote any RIA. I promote things like (X)HTML, maybe Ajax. That’s just what’s most risky to all those proprietary plug-ins and removal of Ogg from HTML5 was a sin.
Victor Soliz said,
May 15, 2008 at 6:59 pm
Ever since pages like google began to use AJAX everything got ruined, it is unbelievable I have to give javascript execution rights to everything. And RIA’s are just the cherry on top of the icecream, I wish for a world without any of those things.
Very nice.
Alex H. said,
May 16, 2008 at 6:05 am
@gggggg:
Miguel has no problem with the licensing terms of Moonlight; neither does anyone else.
Miguel was criticizing the deal to support non-free codecs from Microsoft for video and audio. Nothing to do with Moonlight’s licensing; you don’t need the codecs for Moonlight and there is a non-Microsoft free software solution also available instead.
Dan O'Brian said,
May 16, 2008 at 9:02 am
We can’t use AJAX because it depends on XMLHttpRequest which is a Microsoft-introduced technology and they might have patents.
</sarcasm>
Colin said,
May 16, 2008 at 1:30 pm
This is a bit complicated for a lowly web designer like me : )