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Open Letter to ISO Calls For Standardization of Process

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the corruption-arms-race dept.

In a recent open letter to the ISO FreeCode CEO Geir Isene calls for standardization in the processes used by the ISO to help prevent future OOXML blunders. "It seems ISO is not prepared for a politicized process where a big and influential commercial enterprise will use any means possible to push its own standard through to certification. Committees are flooded by the vendor in support of the standard. Votes are bought and results are hijacked. Several national bodies have flawed and skewed procedures open for corruption."

11 of 108 comments (clear)

  1. IEEE as well by Black+Parrot · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Can't remember the details, but within the past few years a committee working on an IEEE standard caused so many complaints that IEEE disbanded the committee and started the process all over. It was also a case of suspected corporate tampering.

    --
    Sheesh, evil *and* a jerk. -- Jade
    1. Re:IEEE as well by Xiaran · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I have some second hand direct experience with ISO standardization as, when I was growing up my father was a member of several ISO committees. One was for example the X.500 standard. Hes told me many stories that would lead me to assure people that if they think hard core politics and vendor vested interests don't go on in ISO they are sadly, sadly mistaken. This kind of microsoft OOXML thing is really nothing that new. Its just been rather public. In true ISO style, what will now happen I think is they will now argue about it for the next 25 years. A final spec will come out and be ignored by everyone.

  2. Sure, but... by sapphire+wyvern · · Score: 4, Funny

    how will they run the process for standardizing their standardization process without a standard process for processing standardization? Argh, my head....

  3. Re: calling for standardization in ISO by Black+Parrot · · Score: 4, Funny

    LOL I thought standardization was the point of ISO. Yes, we need an ISO standard for creating ISO standards.

    Then we'll need an ISO standard for creating ISO standards for creating ISO standards.

    Then we'll need... I don't think we'll ever catch up.
    --
    Sheesh, evil *and* a jerk. -- Jade
  4. You gotta be kidding... by Otter · · Score: 5, Insightful
    It seems ISO is not prepared for a politicized process where a big and influential commercial enterprise will use any means possible to push its own standard through to certification.

    Whatever the merit of his suggestions, the idea that ISO is new to high-pressure corporate gamesmanship and requires a condescending lecture from a titan of industry like "the CEO of Freecode" has to qualify as the laugh of the day.

    --
    What I'm listening to now on Pandora...
    1. Re: You gotta be kidding... by Black+Parrot · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Whatever the merit of his suggestions, the idea that ISO is new to high-pressure corporate gamesmanship and requires a condescending lecture from a titan of industry like "the CEO of Freecode" has to qualify as the laugh of the day. OTOH, it seems obvious that they need a scolding from somebody.
      --
      Sheesh, evil *and* a jerk. -- Jade
  5. ISO must introduce fairness as well... by jkrise · · Score: 5, Insightful

    If true International consensus is to be achieved, then the criteria for adopting a submission as standard must be altered. The present criteria state:

    1. Over 67% of P-grade members to vote Yes.
    2. Less than 25% overall members could vote No.

    The scope for abuse wiht the above criteria exists because 'countries' like Khazakstan, Cote' de Ivorie and Cyprus have equal voting rights; and can become P-members as well. So, the ISO could consider modifying the voting requirements on the lines of the Senate / House pattern:

    1. The over 67% P-grade members criterion to be amended as "Positive votes corresponding to over 67% of the total population represented". Populous natins like India, China, the UK, Brazil have all voted No. The present ISO rules allow this popular opinion to be sidelined.

    2. Secondly, lots of new 'countries' have opted for voting and P-status. None of these have participated or voted in any other sphere of the ISO actvities. This points strongly to financial inducements and corruption, and cannot be dismissed as coincidence. The rules must be altered before the BRM in February.

    3. Thirdly, Microsoft has admitted to wrong-doing in the voting process in Sweden. This alone ought to be sufficient for the ISO to null and void the entire submission, and debar said firm for a minimum period. There is no credibility if rules are blindly applied, when benefitting parties themselves are guilty of subversion. This is similar to the submission of licenses to the OSI - the standards bodies must take into account past conduct and sincerity; not just rule on technicalities.

    4. Fourthly, the "Yes, with comments" option must be removed. This is meaningless, and mischevous. What incentive does a vested interest have in listening to these comments, and redressing the grievances?

    5. The ISO must take a clear stance wrt patents. Any patent-encumbered submission must be rejected until:
    a. The submission is amended so as to be patent-free
    b. The patents in question have expired all over the world.

    More later.

    --
    If you keep throwing chairs, one day you'll break windows....
  6. Like RFC 2026? by tepples · · Score: 4, Insightful

    LOL I thought standardization was the point of ISO. Yes, we need an ISO standard for creating ISO standards. Would that be anything like the RFC that defines the IETF's RFC process?
  7. Re:What we need is a standard by eln · · Score: 4, Funny

    I completely agree. They should begin forming a committee, with supporting sub-committees, to discuss forming the standard for creating standards immediately.

  8. Re:Whiny little whatever by foobsr · · Score: 4, Informative

    How old is this CEO - 13? He sounds like a whiny little whatever.

    More like 31.

    Quote:"On the professional side: After 10 years as the CEO of the recruitment company U-MAN Norge AS, I moved on and started my own consulting company Creo Pario AS. I then started working for the leading Norwegian Linux company Linpro AS. From March 2003 till March 2004 I was the CEO. In the summer of 2004 I started my own company - FreeCode It is fully dedicated to free software. As of February 2006, we are 15 people and expanding quickly.

    On the private side: I was born in Oslo, Norway in 1966. I have been a scientologist since 1984 (see my rather out-dated scientology home page). I am spiritual rather than materialistic. I believe in the good in people and that everyone can reach their potential. I believe that giving is more important than receiving and that being productive toward a constructive goal is what make people happy." (emphasis mine)

    Any further comment — except this one — seems void.

    CC.

    --
    TaijiQuan (Huang, 5 loosenings)
  9. Then let us name it: by ettlz · · Score: 4, Funny

    metastandardisation.