Don't use the Super Girl voting method to resist Microsoft.

It is unimaginable that a seemingly irrelevant document format dispute among common readers has caused such a huge stir in China. The Co-creation Open Source Alliance openly solicited votes and set up a voting window on its website to oppose Microsoft's proposed OOXML document format, even noting that the reader's vote could be used as evidence for the Chinese Standard Group members to oppose Microsoft's application for OOXML to become an international standard. Half a month ago, I wrote a blog post titled "On International Standard Application from Microsoft's Solicitation of Votes", reminding domestic standard-setting entities to refer more to international practices and reasonably utilize rules. Unexpectedly, it triggered a grand patriotic movement.

For ordinary consumers, what format becomes the international document standard does not matter much; the key lies in being able to better use computers for work. After seeing the actions of the Co-creation Alliance, I have some reflections:

Technical standards are unrelated to patriotism.

It is understandable that Academician Ni stood up to oppose Microsoft's OOXML becoming an international standard. As a long-time advocate of the open-source movement, Academician Ni has reasons to act this way. However, document standards are unrelated to patriotism or national security. People with a little technical knowledge know that if one must talk about computer security, it is more related to computer hardware, operating systems, and how closely it relates to document formats can be roughly discerned even by laypeople.

Patriotism is good, but not everything needs to be tied to patriotism. During the recent world wonders selection organized by a civilian organization, the Great Wall Society of China also adopted this method, even using the super girl voting strategy to rally nationwide votes, all under the guise of patriotism. Such patriotism only reveals the inferiority complex of the Chinese people. Whether the Great Wall of China is selected as one of the seven world wonders or not has no bearing on its status among the Chinese people and the world. Being overly concerned only highlights the inferiority complex of the Chinese people. A great nation should have the demeanor of a great country, and the value of the Great Wall cannot be altered by a civilian organization's selection.

Opposing Microsoft's application for standards is not wrong, but the right method should be used.

Not being a member of the standard group, I don't know whether the result of this vote will help the standard application, but compared to Microsoft's previous solicitation of votes, this public voting may give rise to criticism. If my prediction is correct, it might even have the opposite effect. After all, document standard applications are primarily technical issues; otherwise, they wouldn't be passed through standard committee meetings. Bringing public sentiment into the formulation of technical standards may not have a positive impact on the organization's standard application.

Microsoft's solicitation of votes hoped for voters to send emails, faxes, and even to stamp the faxes with a uniquely Chinese official seal, while providing various technical reasons supporting Microsoft's document standard for voters. In contrast, the Co-creation Open Source Alliance targeted ordinary consumers (even though the webpage mentioned insiders of the open-source industry). Carefully reading the comments left by voters, one finds more expressions of patriotism and national security concerns. I suggest that the Co-creation Open Source Alliance better understand the application process of standards and use reasonable ways to prevent Microsoft's document standard.

Use the right method, do the right thing, and achieve the right result.