ConsortiumInfo: OOXML v. ODF: What a Week!

“It’s been an unusually active week in the contest between
already ISO-adopted ODF and OOXML, as the latter moves through the
first step of the ISO the adoption process. More specifically, Ecma
submitted OOXML to the ISO/IEC Joint Technical Committee 1 (JTC1)
on January 5, starting the clock on the traditional one-month
‘contradictions’ period that begins the ‘fast track’ process in the
JHTC1. However, OOXML is no traditional specification, weighing in
at over 6,000 pages. During this phase, eligible JTC1 members can
note ways in which the proposed standard overlaps other standards,
fails to incorporate available ISO standards, or otherwise does not
meet ISO rules (a second, five month period will begin on February
5, during which technical and other objections may be raised).

“With OOXML formally launched within the JTC1, both sides have
pulled out all the stops to influence the national bodies eligible
to participate, as well as the public at large. Here’s a chronology
of the principle events of just the last seven days, and how they
fit into the overall scheme of things…”

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