__/ [High Plains Thumper] on Saturday 05 November 2005 14:20 \__
> http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051104/ap_on_hi_te/governments_open_source;
> _ylt=AlZNwdSuV9kfki7qWGUTg0Zk24cA;_ylu=X3oDMTA4ZnRnZjhkBHNlYwMxNjk1
>
> or http://tinyurl.com/9rwcp
>
> /* Begin Quote */
> Massachusetts isn't alone in its campaign. The European Union and U.S.
> Library of Congress have in principle embraced OpenDocument as their
> preferred format.
>
> Several foreign governments also have endorsed the broader movement
> toward open-source software and the Linux operating system, which uses
> publicly available software code that can be customized.
>
> Because such software does not carry licensing fees, proponents cite
> cost savings and say open source is less of a target for hackers.
> Critics say the savings can disappear in the long run when service costs
> are factored in, along with compatibility problems pairing Microsoft
> systems with other products.
>
> Microsoft uses proprietary code for most of its products, protecting
> them with copyright and patent licenses restricting other developers'
> ability to write programs that support Microsoft software.
>
> The OpenDocument format was created by the Organization for the
> Advancement of Structured Information Standards, a nonprofit,
> international consortium that sets data standards. Its membership
> includes Microsoft rivals such as Sun and SAP AG.
> /* End Quote */
>
> This is nothing new, as it has been posted in other threads. I am
> grateful that Open Document is receiving worthy support. It encourages
> document sharing that is currently hindered by proprietised software and
> a further step toward vendor independence.
I would only like to point out what is perhaps obvious to most. XML and
open formats are becoming very popular with products ("software" to use a
gentler term) like Firefox and Thunderbird. Has anyone looked at their da-
ta files recently?
> Massachusetts is well know for its political liberalism, but this is one
> good thing the state is promoting. Other nations such as Singapore,
> with their conversion from Microsoft Office to Open Office are on the
> forefront of achieving open standards.
Since you mentioned Singapore, I'll take the opportunity and bring forward
the following:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/11/04/lindows_everywhere_practially_free/
While Lindows (Linspire) is a poor distribution of Linux and the cost of
support is clearly under-estimated, we still see the possibility of a ma-
jor technological empire like South Korea (do _not_ be misled by its geo-
graphical size) converting to Linux shortly.
Analysts speculate that this could become a catalyst for quicker Linux mi-
gration that spans the whole of far east Asia, Japan included.
http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2145416/microsoft-antitrust-flap-boosts
(Title: Microsoft antitrust flap 'boosts Linux' in Far East)
Roy
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