Open Source Weblog

Here is what Matusow said at the time:

"The first thing to say is that Microsoft has a great deal of respect for the ISO process, but it is a very long process. The next five months will be spent in the technology validation process. Of the 19 submissions, some are very supportive of XML and the process, some are neutral, and some had legitimate concerns that were raised."

Here is what he has to say now:

"Let me be absolutely clear that I do not believe there are any contradictions, or other factors, that merit the delay of Open XML becoming an ISO standard.

"Those in opposition to the adoption of the international Ecma Open XML standard by ISO are pointing to my comments as 'proof' of what they believe. That is unfortunate as it does not represent what I think."

It all goes to show the importance of sementics in any conversation. Just as the word 'free' means different things to different people, so does 'legitimate', not to mention 'open'.

Interestingly, though, Microsoft has not asked us to make a correction to the article to clear up the confusion, which somewhat surprising. As we've discovered in the past, whether the story is correct or not often has little relevance to being asked to correct it.