06.03.08
Germany and Denmark Show Signs of Endorsement of Appeals, Complaints Against ISO OOXML
[Correction: See the comments at the bottom. The Heise article suddenly changed to say the very opposite from what it initially had.]
More unrest across Europe
They are falling like domino pieces. Call it “network effect” or call it the comfort of a peer, but whatever it is, the world is waking up and protests only at the 90th minute. That’s better than nothing at all.
We are already aware of four formal appeals against OOXML, but as we stressed before, there might be more coming, assuming that something was misunderstood, someone was misinformed, or the process delayed without (or due to) unexpected disruption. The person whose word you can count on the most at this stage is Andy Updegrove.
Denmark
Earlier today, on a couple of occasions in fact, we mentioned Denmark’s role in the latest wave of backlash against OOXML.
Pointing at this article, Roy Bixler wrote a short while ago: “I understand also that Groklaw has posted an article on this. It’s looking more and more like Denmark really has made a formal appeal.”
There is some more analysis at Linux Journal, whose editor took a look at Groklaw (and the ongoing discussion/translation phase), as well.
Denmark Backs Up the OOXML Outrage
[...]
So far, South Africa and Brazil have lodged formal appeals with the ISO, while several other countries are battling it out against their national standards bodies via their national governments. Jacob Holmblad — the Dansk Standard Director/ISO Vice President — told Computerworld that he will be in Geneva next week, and expects to see the issue addressed while he is there. Something tells us, however, that it will be a long, long time before we finally see the OOXML debacle truly addressed.
So, do we have an appeal, as we cautiously suspected when a complaint came from Venezula and then confirmed as a substantiated appeal? We shall find out pretty soon.
Germany
Germany too has become a little more vocal. Don’t miss the following nugget of information from Heise Online. [via Andy Updegrove]
The German standards institute, the Deutsches Institut für Normung (DIN), which despite reported voting irregularities, voted for OOXML, has yet to form its opinion on the appeals. A spokesperson told heise online that a majority of the steering committee of the IT and Applications Standardisation Committee (NIA) has recognised that there has been a serious breach of JTC 1 and ISO rules. He stated that this is also the position of the DIN as a whole. At the same time, however, the conclusion has been reached that the rules for the fast-track procedure need to be amended, as documents of the scope of ISO/IEC 29500 can hardly be dealt with within the current framework. According to the spokesperson, the DIN has initiated corresponding discussions in Geneva.
This means that Germany’s involvement in this revolt might be something to watch. It’s the largest population in Europe, is it not?
India Again
A few hours ago we wrote about the latest slander story, which unsurprisingly came from India. Glyn Moody and Groklaw have written about it as well, so you might wish to take a look. It’s not the last such story you will come across. Everyone is appalled and Pamela Jones already points a finger at France (recall the Grand Scandal). █
“O OXML, What Have Thou Done?”
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.
gggggg said,
June 3, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Your quote about DIN is wrong!
http://www.heise-online.co.uk/news/Brazil-and-India-lodge-appeal-against-ISO-standardisation-of-OOXML–/110845
Roy Schestowitz said,
June 3, 2008 at 1:30 pm
Oh dear. I copied and pasted that. They possibly amended the text in Heise. I’ll check.
Roy Schestowitz said,
June 3, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Same with Andy…
http://consortiuminfo.org/news/
“[Heise report on German/DIN position on OOXML Appeal]
Heise Online June 3, 2008 …The German standards institute, the Deutsches Institut für Normung (DIN), which despite reported voting irregularities, voted for OOXML, has yet to form its opinion on the appeals. A spokesperson told heise online that a majority of the steering committee of the IT and Applications Standardisation Committee (NIA) has recognised that there has been a serious breach of JTC 1 and ISO rules. He stated that this is also the position of the DIN as a whole. At the same time, however, the conclusion has been reached that the rules for the fast-track procedure need to be amended, as documents of the scope of ISO/IEC 29500 can hardly be dealt with within the current framework. According to the spokesperson, the DIN has initiated corresponding discussions in Geneva. …Full Story”
And now the Aha! moment (see PJ’s comment):
http://www.groklaw.net/newsitems.php
“* DIN spokesman says rules were not broken re OOXML (Germany)
* 01:20PM June 06/03/08, 2008
* [PJ: Note that Heise has changed the article earlier posted on News Picks to read the opposite of what it said before. It now reads like this:]
The German standards institute, the Deutsches Institut für Normung (DIN), which despite reported voting irregularities, voted for OOXML, has yet to form its opinion on the appeals. A spokesperson told heise online that a majority of the steering committee of the IT and Applications Standardisation Committee (NIA) has recognised that there has been *no* serious breach of JTC 1 and ISO rules. He stated that this is also the position of the DIN as a whole. At the same time, however, the conclusion has been reached that the rules for the fast-track procedure need to be amended, as documents of the scope of ISO/IEC 29500 can hardly be dealt with within the current framework. According to the spokesperson, the DIN has initiated corresponding discussions in Geneva. - Heise “
Roy Bixler said,
June 3, 2008 at 5:51 pm
According to Bob Sutor’s blog, it looks like Denmark is not making a formal appeal:
http://www.sutor.com/newsite/blog-open/?p=2328
I would have been pleasantly surprised if they had done that, since they voted to “Approve” OOXML. Instead, it’s from the Danish Open Source Leverandørforeningen group — not the same thing as thw national standards body itself. Still, it’s better than nothing.
Also, Sutor gives a link to the Groklaw story and I reproduce it here:
http://www.groklaw.net/article.php?story=20080531134006167