[Bf-committers] Microsoft dev support

[Jean-Michel Smith]

Agreed 100%

As a blender user, one who donated to the fund to free the source
initially, and one who has followed its development since, I find this
entire thread disturbing.

I think the OOXML reference is worth elaborating on, as an example of
how Microsoft overtly, flagrantly corrupted the ISO standards process
(and quite likely isn't looking to do the blender project any
favours).

Aside from the fact that OOXML is an unimplementable standard, serious
irregularities occurred all over Europe with regard to its ISO
approval:

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20070907-iso-reforms-proposed-in-response-to-ooxml-shenanigans.html
http://www.groklaw.net/article.php?story=2008032913190768
http://www.groklaw.net/article.php?story=20080322203811784
http://www.wired.com/software/coolapps/news/2007/08/ooxml_vote
http://www.effi.org/blog/kai-2008-04-03.html

I could go on, but you get the point.  Anyone citing OOXML as an open
standard has already begun the conversation in a very deceptive and
disingenuous manner.  Engage with them at your own risk.

Regards,

Jean.
2008/5/11 Jean-Luc Peurière <jlp at nerim.net>:
>
>  Le 11 mai 08 à 11:32, Ton Roosendaal a écrit :
>
>
>  > Hi all,
>  >
>  > I recently was contacted by Microsoft Development, they've assigned
>  > one
>  > of their people with the job to support open source projects better.
>  > Yep, I've immediately asked for free MSVC Pro licenses! :)
>  >
>  > They also like to know about file format support... which I really
>  > have
>  > no idea about. Are there files in the Windows universe you need to
>  > have
>  > a better Blender user experience?
>  >
>  > ----------------- quote -----------------
>  >
>  > With respect to Blender, what can you tell me about your community/
>  > user
>  > feedback that you have heard regarding file formats?  Specifically,
>  > Microsoft is slowly shifting toward a more open standards based
>  > approach to its file formats.  The ISO standard Office Open XML is an
>  > example of the direction we are moving towards.
>
>
>  I would not touch that with a barge pole. MS XML is an example that
>  they are not moving on that issue, or they would support ODF, not
>  using dirty tactics to force an half-backed non open standard.
>
>  They have an history to use one OSS group against another too.
>
>  Blender is in a position where we do not depend on any MS backed
>  format, so I think we should be very carefull to stay neutral in those
>  areas.
>
>  Now, ripping some licenses is fine of course ;)
>
>  Jean-Luc Peurière
>  jlp at nerim.net
>
>
>
>
>
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