Format Standards Committee "Grinds To a Halt"

Andy Updegrove writes "Microsoft's OOXML did not get enough votes to be approved the first time around in ISO/IEC — notwithstanding the fact that many countries joined the Document Format and Languages committee in the months before voting closed, almost all of them voting to approve OOXML. Unfortunately, many of these countries also traded up to 'P' level membership at the last minute to gain more influence. Now the collateral damage is setting in. At least 50% of P members must vote (up, down, or abstain) on every standard at each ballot — and none of the new members are bothering to vote, despite repeated pleas from the committee chair. Not a single ballot has passed since the OOXML vote closed. In the chairman's words, the committee has 'ground to a halt.' Sad to say, there's no end in sight for this (formerly) very busy and influential standards committee."

Comments

Don't worry

[Anonymous Coward]

The Emperor will just dissolve the Senate.

gridlock

[User 956]

In the chairman's words, the committee has 'ground to a halt.'

See that? American style democracy is popular overseas.

Re:Hamstrung

[macshit]

Maybe the ISO Standards Committee should dissolve itself and reform under a slightly different name, with a better set of bylaws...

I propose the "International Microsoft Sucks Standards Organization" (IMSSO).

Bylaws:

    1. Before any vote, all members must stand and re-affirm their (legally binding) pledge to destroy Microsoft, Windows, and all that is associated with them
    2. This is followed by the singing of the "Microsoft Sucks" song. ...

Re:That gives me an idea...

[Sodki]

It's FreeISO, you insensitive clod.

Re:Hamstrung

[roystgnr]

2. This is followed by the singing of the "Microsoft Sucks" song.

You know, I'm all in favor of more organizations for anti-Microsoft geeks, but I've got to warn you that asking us to sing can only end in tragedy.

To the tune of Knights of the Round Table

[kwabbles]

A la Monty Python...

We're Members of the IMSSO,
We bash Bill when ere we're able,
We hate his bloat and legal scenes
And File Allocation Table.
We dine well here in Slashdot,
We eat grits and chips and bawls a lot.
We're Members of the IMSSO,
Our Vista hatred is formidable,
But many times, we're given rhymes
That are quite unsingable.
We're burning time in Slashdot,
We laugh at flying chairs
a looooooot.
In flame wars we're tough and able,
Quite indefatigable,
Between our WoW raids and tinfoil hats,
and mockery of what they call "stable".
Most of us know here at Slashdot,
Microsoft really sucks a lot!