Posted on 09/29/2005 8:52:01 PM PDT by Golden Eagle
The broader media usually take little interest in public policy debates about technology, but they’re missing a big story in Massachusetts.
The technology trades, blogs and industry are buzzing about a monumental policy shift in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Officials in the state have proposed a new policy that mandates that every state technology system use only applications designed around OpenDocument file formats.
Such a policy might seem like something that should concern only a small group of technology professionals, but in fact the implications are staggering and far-reaching. The policy promises to burden taxpayers with new costs and to disrupt how state agencies interact with citizens, businesses and organizations.
Worse, the policy represents an attack on market-based competition, which in turn will hurt innovation. The state has a disaster in the making.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
"they would have worked with the company that created and maintains the current industry standards,"
And by that you mean adobe, right?
Still not answering my question on your tech expertise, eh?
No need to ask a quesiton, since OSS applications can read/write MS formats as well as PDF they should qualify just as PDF does. MA is being hypocritical, without question with their bias.
They didn't lock out MS, they changed the locks and gave MS a new key (implement ODF), but MS won't use it.
Now-now...don't go talking sense to ol' Buzzy. That just ticks him off to the point that he starts calling everyone who disagrees with him "communists" and other silly things.
If Microsoft wants Word users to be able to access the documents from within that application, they can simply implement an import filter. The format documentation is available to them.
You don't deserve even this, much less any answers to your questions, since you stormed into this thread in your normal manner shrieking names and insults at me when I'm trying to have dignified discussion. If you EVER expect me to talk to you again, grow up and act like you've finally reached puberty, then I'll think about it.
You mistook pointing out MS's blundering PR campaign for support for anti-trust.
Wrong, if they were worried about that they'd simply impelement the format, they have historically provided more compatiblity filters than any other vendor, and ones that worked.
They are trying to avoid implementing the format because they want to maintain single vendor lock-in to their proprietary formats.
This is about MA taking a radical position that disallows the industry standard product while claiming they are doing it in the name of user access.
'Industry Standard'? Why are you of the opinion that a single vendor with a proprietary file format should be considered the standard? You can't open MS documents without paying them. Why should people who want to view information recorded by the State of Massachussettes be forced to pay Microsoft to view that information? Isn't it preferable for Massachussettes to adopt an open standard, that doesn't have vendor lock in or legal encumbrances, and then invite any vendor to make software capable of reading and writing in that open format? Why do you prefer taxpayers be forced to buy Microsoft's products to view information collected by the state?
They are claiming they want the formats "open" but ignore Microsoft's existing open format compatibility and the open nature of their future standard formats.
You're aware that Microsoft's implementation isn't open, right? Are you ignorant, or being deliberately misleading?
Sales and Service is the best and proven method. Service only will soon have you serving the government, or its wishes alone.
I'm interested in learning about your level of technical expertise. What exactly is your technical background. Thanks.
What he doesn't tell you is basically NO ONE has the software to read or write this format.
The software is available from multiple vendors for free. 'Anyone can have the software to the format'. Why should the state use taxpayers money to keep up with MS's office suite upgrades? Why should taxpayers have to pay MS to access information their state collects in a proprietary MS format?
Ah, ok, the one that hurls out the commie insults on every thread speaks of 'dignified discussion'.
I'll take your continued avoidance of the issue and your latest excuse for not answering as an inidcation you have sub-bupkis experience in the tech or internet fields.
I don't need to ask anymore. You don't need to answer. You already have.
Who told you that?
Why are you of the opinion that a single vendor with a proprietary file format should be considered the standard?
Defacto. Ever heard of it?
Why do you prefer taxpayers be forced to buy Microsoft's products to view information collected by the state?
They don't have to now. They can use one of the freeware clones, or heaven forbid download a free reader direct from MS.
don't hold your breath for an answer...
They don't have to now. They can use one of the freeware clones, or heaven forbid download a free reader direct from MS.
What operating system is required to run the free reader, who sells it, and how much does it cost?
" Defacto. Ever heard of it?"
Yes, it's called adobe reader.
You support that as the standard?
Naturally, ol' Buzzy won't refute this. He'll just resort to more asinine name-calling.
hey, don't call him names, you pinko commie liberal troll!
Why are you in favor of the state sponsoring vendor monopolies by restricting their information to proprietary formats? Have you no regard for the taxpayer's money?
They can use one of the freeware clones, or heaven forbid download a free reader direct from MS.
Why is it better to download a free reader from MS that won't let you edit as opposed to a free word processor or spreadsheet application from any other programmer that will let you open and edit OpenDocument format files? What is the advantage to the taxpayers of MA to stay on MS's Office upgrade treadmill and contend with MS's proprietary file formats?
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