After spending the past months (or year) “working as a camel” with the OpenXML (or, poetically, walking in the desert), spending my brain’s phosphate with the analysis of something not analyzable with consistency, I finally have the opportunity to put my energies into something more productive: I was accepted into OASIS, as OASIS ODF TC member (the committee that develops ODF).

I am very encouraged by this new challenge and impressed with the workload. I was already up to lose “my shape” after a final decision about OpenXML in Brazil, but the agitation in OASIS is similar to that we had in Brazil to review OpenXML.

At the TC, we exchange, on average, 10 messages a day, and periodic conf-calls, with participation of people all around the world (literally). Indeed, one of the last discussions was about the time of calls, as at a certain time, it is morning for one member, lunch-time for another and night and for a third…

Among other issues that I have interest, I want to contribute to the support of digital signatures in ODF 1.2 (obviously compatible with ICP-Brazil). This was the issue that put me in contact with the committee and that resulted in an invitation for me to join in the group.

Now we can really say that Brazil is no longer in the “supporting role” on international IT standards field, and based on my commitment and animation, we’re gonna make a good job (I hope so ).

I’m also available to everyone, that in any way, want to contribute with the development of ODF, or who has any doubt about its development. For those who want to follow the work, the discussion list used by us is available to public view (post is only allowed to members) and can be accessed here.

After the desert, I’ve finally found the OASIS ! Can someone bring me a glass of water, please