OOXML Critic Fired From Finnish Standards Board

Posted by ryuzaki0 on Tuesday October 2, 2007 @06:20PM from the don't-get-caught-saying-what-you-think dept.

Shirke writes "A Finnish computer magazine reports that Finnish Standards Association has fired Mr. Lassi Nirhamo (article in Finnish). Some excerpts: Mr. Nirhamo was chairing the OOXML standard proposal meeting. During the meeting Mr. Nirhamo asked other board members to be excused of his duties and voice his opinion as a private citizen. After this was granted he criticized the standard proposal and resumed his duties as chairman. Mr. Nirhamo has now been let go due to a 'lack of trust.' Independent observers have assessed his chairmanship as 'excellent' and 'one of a kind.' The Association is accepting applications for the position. Anyone interested?"

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Re:Qué? by wanderingknight · 2007-10-02 22:58 · Score: 1, Troll

I'm sure you mean finlandés :P
Re:I can tell you've never been involved with ISO! by truesaer · 2007-10-03 03:23 · Score: 1, Troll

Standards bodies are basically about politics. They're like mini congresses or parliaments, and you have to work together with many people to get consensus on issues. This requires a very careful approach to what you say, gentle persuasion, etc.

It sounds to me like this guy wasn't going to be very good at his job. Making a shocking and embarassing public pronouncement while trying to hide behind "just being a citizen" is basically proof that he was not the right guy for the job. I don't see the controversy.