Bizarre: FFII award for OOXML opponents goes to Microsoft
The Kayak Prize 2007, awarded by the Foundation for a Free Information Infrastructure (FFII) for the most effective campaign against Microsoft Office Open XML (OOXML) as a standard, went to Microsoft itself.
Microsoft had submitted its internal OOXML format in December 2006 for ISO standardization. The non-profit organization FFII declared the event a "war of formats". The foundation spearheaded the anti-OOXML lobby and took a stand with its own "NoOOXML" website. As a part of the publicity campaign FFII offered an award for the best campaign leader in the fight against the Microsoft format. Now the FFII has given the prize to its opponent, Microsoft, stating that the company had played the biggest part in ensuring that the ISO vote went against Microsoft because it failed to achieve a majority in the first round of voting.
The statement by FFII President Peter Hintjes isn't exactly flattering: "By pushing so hard to get OOXML endorsed, even to the point of loading the standards boards in Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, Portugal, Italy, and beyond, Microsoft showed to the world how poor their format is. Good standards just don't need that kind of pressure." He continued, "All together, countries made over ten thousands technical comments, a new world record for an ISO vote. Microsoft made a heroic — and costly — effort to discredit their own proposal, and we're sincerely grateful to them." The foundation explains that its own activities were far cheaper; in fact, the Noooxml.org domain cost them just twelve euros. If Microsoft doesn't want to collect the prize of 2500 euros, minus the twelve for the domain, at the awards ceremony, the money will go to earthquake relief in Peru.
In February 2008, the results of the first vote will be discussed by the ISO committee, and Microsoft will have a chance to improve its document format. Mario Wendt, Interoperability Architect with Microsoft, speaking in an interview with Linux Magazine, said that he was optimistic, and that suggestions by ISO members on the Microsoft format will lead to success in the long-term: "We are confident that we will be able to integrate them with the standard to the satisfaction of our customers and competitors". In contrast to Microsoft, FFII does not believe that the Redmond standard will make the grade: " We think they (Microsoft) will make cosmetic fixes and then push all the harder. It's exactly the worst approach and will alienate many governments, possibly spelling the end of their global office monopoly."
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Gnome 47.1 Released with a Few Fixes
The latest release of the Gnome desktop is all about fixing a few nagging issues and not about bringing new features into the mix.
-
System76 Unveils an Ampere-Powered Thelio Desktop
If you're looking for a new desktop system for developing autonomous driving and software-defined vehicle solutions. System76 has you covered.
-
VirtualBox 7.1.4 Includes Initial Support for Linux kernel 6.12
The latest version of VirtualBox has arrived and it not only adds initial support for kernel 6.12 but another feature that will make using the virtual machine tool much easier.
-
New Slimbook EVO with Raw AMD Ryzen Power
If you're looking for serious power in a 14" ultrabook that is powered by Linux, Slimbook has just the thing for you.
-
The Gnome Foundation Struggling to Stay Afloat
The foundation behind the Gnome desktop environment is having to go through some serious belt-tightening due to continued financial problems.
-
Thousands of Linux Servers Infected with Stealth Malware Since 2021
Perfctl is capable of remaining undetected, which makes it dangerous and hard to mitigate.
-
Halcyon Creates Anti-Ransomware Protection for Linux
As more Linux systems are targeted by ransomware, Halcyon is stepping up its protection.
-
Valve and Arch Linux Announce Collaboration
Valve and Arch have come together for two projects that will have a serious impact on the Linux distribution.
-
Hacker Successfully Runs Linux on a CPU from the Early ‘70s
From the office of "Look what I can do," Dmitry Grinberg was able to get Linux running on a processor that was created in 1971.
-
OSI and LPI Form Strategic Alliance
With a goal of strengthening Linux and open source communities, this new alliance aims to nurture the growth of more highly skilled professionals.