OS2 World.Com: Do we need to care about OOXML?

August 29, 2007 by Kim Haverblad

++ From the VOICE OS/2-eCS News Service http://www.os2voice.org ++

From: Kim Haverblad

I guess that some of you have noticed the circus regarding how the vote of OOXML was bought by Microsoft by rounding up Gold Partners here in Sweden.

The question that some might have been asking is if we really need to care about this? Then ask yourself, do you think that Microsoft will release tools for all available OS on the market to make a proper implementation of OOXML?

Also another question to be asked if Microsoft really wants to make the implementation of OOXML in good faith; why are they then making sure to win the vote to what ever price it takes?

Another issue is that quite a few countries are looking at Sweden as a neutral and objective country when it comes to this question and as we now know; sadly we are not.

To give a few more lines to read:

Microsoft Bought Sweden's ISO Vote on OOXML?
http://it.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/08/28/1237255

Microsoft buys the Swedish vote on OOXML
http://www.os2world.com/content/view/14868/2/

Microsoft forced partners to vote Yes!
http://www.os2world.com/content/view/14868/2/

What Happened in Germany
http://www.groklaw.net/article.php?story=20070824123112581

Well, what can you do to make sure that you country place an objective vote without Microsoft doing the same trick once again? Well, since Microsoft was caught with the hand in the jam can - make sure that your local press gets the story.

Sincerely Yours,
Kim Haverblad