OOXML.ScriptumLibre.org is focussed on organizing national standardization committee members in order to formulate issues and have a fair ISO voting
Call for Action
OOXML is a document written by one company and is over 6000 pages long. That document, without any changes so far, is being proposed as an ISO standard. At minimum there are quite a lot of problems to be found that in normal processes would be corrected before a standard reaches the point where OOXML is now.
In the current process of making OOXML (or Ecma 376) an ISO standard the national standardization bodies are involved. Unfortunately the free information / software movement shows almost no participation in the OOXML committees in many countries. This results in a threatening and dangerous situation.
The situation is such that immediate action is required:
- First, some decisions are already taken and we can't turn back the clock, the standardization process is continuing every minute.
- Second, Microsoft - the creator of OOXML - is represented in the standardization institute in your country by themselves and probably some "stake holding" companies.
- Third, to influence the process you probably must become member of a committee and that takes time and costs money.
Having said this we hope you agree dark clouds have gathered above us. It was a smart step of Microsoft to continue the fast track procedure knowing we are not organized enough to counter them right now.
How can you help?
Your help is urgently needed and there is no time to loose.
We need:
- OOXML experts
- National Body (NB) committee members who are on our side
- Activists and translators on national level
Join us:
Join our community, mail <wikiadmins@scriptumlibre.org> and give references or mention people you know.
Things that need attention asap:
We have to find out who are participating in your country. Make an entry at this wiki or mail it to ooxml@scriptumlibre.org
Then we have to restore the balance at places where it is needed most.
Seek committee members who are on our side.
And or join your national committee.