I’m happy to announce that BytesFree.org will be represented at its first event, Lug Radio Live, which will be held at the Metreon in San Francisco on April 12th and 13th. Several of us have been working on the challenge of gettings things going orga...
Category: Syndicated
The Rolling Stones Now on eMusic.com
If you're like me and thing that the Rolling Stones reached their peak between 1966 and 1971, there is some very good news for you: The Stones have now arrived on eMusic!Listen now - doesn't include Sticky Fingers, but it's really really good stuff.
Did you feel a tremor???
Don't be alarmed, that shaking you feel isn't the San Andreas going berzerk. Nope, not Hayward fault either, nor any of the other numerous fault lines in the area. No, what you just felt is the IMMINENT START TO THE REVIVED SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES!!! Set ...
Trader Joe’s Doppelbock for 2.99!
I was disappointed by the winter seasonal doppelbock offered up by Trader Joe's under the "Josephs Brau" label (contract brewed by Gordon Biersch). Knowing it was brewed by Gordon Biersch, I expected the same quality but came away disappointed. But tha...
84% Geek
Apparently, I'm only 84% geek - My Star Trek knowledge has apparently diminished :(84% Geek
Public Knowledge: Supercopyright Turns On Its Creator
Outside of comic books, it is exceedingly rare to see a villain receive literal and poetic justice at the hands of its own creation. So when I read that Time Warner must now share the copyright for Superman with the heirs of Superman co-creator Jerome Siegel, I couldn’t help but give a healthy chuckle. The cause of action flows directly from a provision of the Copyright Term Extension Act (CTEA) of 1998, which Time Warner (along with other studios) pushed through Congress with all their lobbying might. Granted Time Warner never supported this provision, which was a sop to folks and their heirs who sold copyrights when they thought they were only giving away 23 years plus a 23 year renewal, but TW regarded that as an acceptable risk for the billions upon billions of dollars it gained from yet another windfall in copyright land.
Standards Blog: BRM Blowback (and ISO Press Release)
Yesterday, I sent out the latest issue of my eJournal, Standards Today. Not surprisingly, it focused on the OOXML process, and what can be learned from it. Below is the Editorial, and you can find the complete issue here. You can sign up for a free subscription here.
Updated: ISO has now issued its confirmatory press release. The full text (less biolerplate) is appended at the end of this entry. I note with some interest that the press release includes the following language:Subject to there being no formal ...
OOXML Ratified by ISO
Well, it appears to be final. As the results are verified and commentators weigh in, I’ll post a roundup later, as well as my own commentary on what this means for BytesFree.org’s objectives. In the meantime, see the posts below from Groklaw and the Standards Blog. Tags: News
Standards Blog: OOXML is Approved [retitled]
Updated:
1. I have now received confirmation from a second source that these results are accurate.
2. Microsoft has issued a press release announcing that OOXML "Appears to Win Approval" (text below)
3. (1:00 PM EDT) I have now received a copy of the ISO communication from a National Body source entitled to receive it, and can confirm the data below.
4. Ecma's press release confirming approval is here
Open Malaysia has posted a final update of their vote registry, based upon an email from the OpenDoc Society to which is attached what they say are the final numbers on the OOXML vote. The document looks authentic, and I should have an independent verif...
1. I have now received confirmation from a second source that these results are accurate.
2. Microsoft has issued a press release announcing that OOXML "Appears to Win Approval" (text below)
3. (1:00 PM EDT) I have now received a copy of the ISO communication from a National Body source entitled to receive it, and can confirm the data below.
4. Ecma's press release confirming approval is here
Open Malaysia has posted a final update of their vote registry, based upon an email from the OpenDoc Society to which is attached what they say are the final numbers on the OOXML vote. The document looks authentic, and I should have an independent verif...
Groklaw: The France Shift From No to Abstain — HP helped Microsoft France do it
Here's the scoop from Les Echos.fr on France's sudden change from its No vote to Abstain. Microsoft France's President Eric Boustouller sent AFNOR a letter [PDF] in French, of course. He tells a tale about OOXML and ODF progressing side by side and how if OOXML is approved, a group will be working hard to make the two more interoperable. Attached was a an HP statement of support for OOXML. HP sings the same song. And AFNOR?
"A la lumière des contributions et des commentaires, il nous est apparu qu'une "Désapprobation" n'était plus justifiée. Pour autant, il demeure encore des incertitudes sur les textes et les engagements, ce qui nous a conduit à nous prononcer par une "Abstention"", a expliqué dans un message électronique samedi Tony Hittema, directeur technique de l'Afnor.
That's saying that in light of the new information, it seemed to them that disapprove was not justified. But neither was a Yes vote, because there remain issues with OOXML. So that's why they did it.
JohnMark.Org 