We’ve heard from folks that the final post-Ballot Resolution Meeting version of OOXML has still not been made available to national standards bodies. This would be the updated 6000+ page document that included all the edits voted on at the BRM. With such a document one could actually, for example, check correctness of the edits and ensure that changes were actually inserted.
That is: it was supposed to be ready before the ballot change period at the end of March, but wasn’t, so those who voted were not working off a consolidated document.
The appeal period ends on May 28. Will it be available by then?
Will it ever be available? Does anyone care? Do any rules apply to this at all? What are the excuses for this? Just like almost ever other aspect of this particular process, dangerous exceptions and precedents are being set.
If any national bodies have this in hand, please let me know.
“My dog ate my homework”
I’m curious, despite the fact that the rules will likely not apply, what do the rules say is to happen if the spec text is not available before the close of the appeal period?
If the Specification comes out; and Microsoft issue an update for office a week later. I for one am going to politely ask Nellie Kroes to investigate whether the delay to the final draft gave Microsoft a competitive advantage over all those who are trying to implement OOXML.
I think you’ll have to ask ISO . Same as you’d have to ask Lenovo why all the Personal Computers they sell come with Microsoft Windows preinstalled (and, most likely, a 60-day ‘free trial’ of Microsoft Office); and Serenity Systems what they think the outlook is for sales of OS/2.
IBM sells the Open Referent now, and anyone can download IBM Lotus Symphony at no charge.
There’s a lot in the rear-view mirror. It’s more interesting to see what’s in the future, what’s coming up.
I’ve got this feeling that the future is going to be distinctly different from the past.
Since Chris mentioned it … what exactly is going on with IBM Lotus Symphony?
I thought it was supposed to be released weeks ago?
And the web site with it’s Blogs and Buzz sections is completely devoid of any useful information on this point.
Asking IBM about Symphony is rather like asking ATT about a href=”http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/cell-phone-sales/promotion/free-phones.jsp”>free cellphone .
They do them; they probably always will do them from now until the end of time; they conform with all the relevant standards; they’re a necessary part of doing business nowadays.
But when will the next one be released ? If it really matters, ask your salesman …
@Felix: It’s still on schedule as far as I understood what the schedule was. Sit tight!
Alan Lepofsky just posted a couple of screen shots of the release version a couple of days ago.
http://www.alanlepofsky.net/alepofsky/alanblog.nsf/dx/symphony-to-my-ears
Should be here real soon now.
@Kerr: Thanks. Looking forward to it :-)
The fox has raided the barn yet again. Unfortunately, ISO should stand for In Search Of, as they have not been a viable organization in quite awhile.
It is unlikely that anyone will be able to correct the past wrongs, IMHO the next best course of action is to protect ODF.
What’s Next? Black suited enforcers.
I think that traditional standards bodies, like ISO and the national bodies, are not suitable entities for creating and maintaining IT standards. They manage very well when there are only a relatively few organisations interested in the detailed content, like a restricted number of manufacturers of electric plugs and sockets. All the public want to know is that there is one and that the products they buy conform.
This is not true when it comes to programming languages, when there are thousands or millions of interested engineers who want a copy of the actual standard on their desks, but ISO make it financially too expensive to do so; and that is still the case.
For file formats for documents, the number of interested people increases yet again, since the public may indeed be interested in being able to process their files for effectively ever. Perhaps it affects billions eventually, but is there a cheap copy available? Not that I can see.
For this type of standard, their model is wrong; a different structure of standards body is required – one that takes account of the number of potential direct users and allows their representatives to help in the definition, as well as providing a means of disseminating the final result to them all.
And there’s been no statement about when it will be released. There’s something strange going on, and I wish I knew what it was.
The final text of the OOXML spec is “with ITTF, by all acounts” says Alex Brown.
http://adjb.net/comments.php?y=08&m=04&entry=entry080409-221633
I’m sure Microsoft would be just as happy if ISO were to be completely discredited. It’s all part of their Embrace, Extend, Extinguish policy. By destroying ISO their FUD machine can act as if there is no valid internationally recognized document format standard. In other words, they would hope to pollute ODF as well.
@Mike: Which is different from being given to the national standards bodies.
@Bob
>> Which is different from being given to the national standards bodies.
Indeed.
In fact, Doctor Brown mentions in his response that a number of NBs are unhappy with the delay. But when I asked what effect this delay might have on the process he replied “not much”; at least, as far as OOXML itself goes.
Cheers,
- Mike
@Mike: Sorry Mike, but it absolutely absurd that NBs have not gotten this document in their hands a long time ago. Since no rules seem to apply anymore, I’m not surprised.