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MS Withdraws From WC3 Web Services Working Group

Posted by timothy on from the rather-withdrawn dept.

slashusrslashbin writes "CNet is reporting that Microsoft has broken with a key Web Services standard effort. Apparently the W3C 'is not the only vehicle in which to impact and evaluate a set of technologies.' Evaluating them in a massive monopoly is probably just as good..."

4 of 47 comments (clear)

  1. In other news by the_other_one · · Score: 4, Funny

    Microsoft announces new standardized anti trust laws...

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  2. Only a portion of the W3C by n-baxley · · Score: 4, Informative

    It's important to note, and not really clear in the post, that MS is only pulling out of the so-called choreography group for Web Services. It's still a shame, but not as drastic as if they were pulling out all together or abandoning the working group that defines XHTML or CSS. It's still too bad though.

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  3. Public Image, Feet to Fire, Etc. by 4of12 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    As the article said, it's a real shame that the standards making body loss the contributions of MS, since their emissaries were regarded well by the rest of the members.

    Two things are evident, though.

    One, that MS joins standards bodies as part of a public relations and marketing ploy. They find there is some value in being able to use standards as a way to sell their product (eg, the latest "Office does XML"), but their commitment to adhering to standards and to releasing full specifications of their products, which have become de facto standards, is monotonously disappointing.

    Second, while the anti-trust investigation by the U.S Department of Justice was underway and the outcome was subject to some chance, their behavior was better. Unfortunately, it seems as if they already know or don't fear the outcome of the EU investigation, or they might make a better effort to uphold standards, which are the essential ingredient for a competitive software marketplace.

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  4. Old MS Joke by Schart · · Score: 4, Funny

    This (and the OpenGL thing and... well, a LOT of things MS does) reminds me of this OLD joke I heard quite a few years ago:

    Q. How many Microsoft engineers does it take to change a lightbulb?

    A. None. They simply declare darkness to be the new standard.

    GONNNNG!!