ISO Takes Control Of OOXML 260
mikkl666 writes "Alex Brown, head of the ISO work group responsible for OOXML, has posted a summary of their latest meeting, and he also comments on the resolutions discussed there. The basic message is that ISO now has 'full responsibility for the standard,' and that several workgroups will be established to work on OOXML. An interesting point here is that 'setting up a maintance[sic] procedure for ODF, and then working on cross-standard initiatives' is one of the explicit goals. On a side note, they also reacted to the very emotional discussion on OOXML by posting an open letter: 'We the undersigned participants ... wish to make it clear that we deplore the personal attacks that have been made ... in recent months. We believe standards debate should always be carried out with respect for all parties, even when they strongly disagree.' As Brown correctly points out, 'This content speaks for itself.' We discussed the approval of OOXML earlier this month."
why not open source Windows? (Score:2, Funny)
The EU has the windows source code already. They have the regulatory power to do what is necessary to force compliance with the law, which MS is not willing to do on its own.
Think about it: this would open up the possibility for Windows competitors. MS would no longer be a monopoly, and could not abuse its position to ram non-"standards" through a kangaroo standards body. They could no longer abuse their dominant market position to shut down competitors or strongarm vendors into not allowing other OSs to be sold on their systems. It fixes all the problems caused by a MS monopoly.
In addition, it ultimately allows for more security: Windows vendors could compete on security of their version.
It brings interoperability to the industry, and it means that hardware drivers can be supplied for many different systems, not just Windows, addressing one of the big problems *nixes face today.
It's time to see an open source Windows. All the EU needs is a >little more of a backbone. "MS: you have failed to comply with the terms of the court. As a result, Windows is now open sourced, and we are seeding 10 competitors to start up and sell their own versions."
Bring competition back to the market, and these things will not be a problem any more. As long as there is no meaningful competition, any other steps are bandaids.
I propose we call it POXML (Score:5, Funny)
Re:What do they expect? (Score:3, Funny)
Re:get real (Score:5, Funny)
Re:What do they expect? (Score:4, Funny)