Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Bill Introduced in Minnesota to Require Use of "Open Data Formats"
Consortium Standards Bulletin ^ | 4/5/06

Posted on 04/05/2006 4:58:29 PM PDT by steve-b

click here to read article


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 161-163 next last
To: N3WBI3
Scenario:

I am looking for a job and need to send out 20 resumes.  I will send out 10 in word format and 10 in open source format via email.

I can guarantee that there will be no problem with the 10 I sent in word, but 100% of the 10 I sent in ODF will be returned saying "please send in doc format".

I think that storing important data in ODF only is boxing themselves into a corner.  They will be able to access the data, but 99% of the people outside their office will not.

I think ODF has a great future and is a good idea.  But to store info in ONLY that format, at this time, is shortsighted and foolish.

41 posted on 04/06/2006 9:05:13 AM PDT by softwarecreator (Facts are to liberals as holy water is to vampires.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies]

To: softwarecreator
I am looking for a job and need to send out 20 resumes. I will send out 10 in word format and 10 in open source format via email.

I usually send out PDF but ok lets go with yours..

I can guarantee that there will be no problem with the 10 I sent in word, but 100% of the 10 I sent in ODF will be returned saying "please send in doc format".

Is your resume a government communication?

I think that storing important data in ODF only is boxing themselves into a corner. They will be able to access the data, but 99% of the people outside their office will not.

By that logic we should all still be using word perfects document formats you leave no position for standards growth unless the standard is 100% backward compatible with all old standards. Here is exactly what will happen

(a) MS will build ODF support into office 12 or
(b) Someone will write a nice filter for office 12 that imports ODF and that will become a standard office tool like acrobat reader.

But to store info in ONLY that format, at this time, is shortsighted and foolish.

(1) The article did not say only, it said when possible. (2) Are you saying a CIO does not have the right to impose document format standards for an organization? are you saying the CIO of a state does not have that responsibility?

42 posted on 04/06/2006 9:25:42 AM PDT by N3WBI3 (If SCO wants to go fishing they should buy a permit and find a lake like the rest of us..)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 41 | View Replies]

To: softwarecreator
"Sounds to me like they are taking away the right to choose"

Ummm, the right to choose what? It's the FORMAT that has to be open, the way the data is saved itself. You can create that data with any program you want...including Microsoft products. If a NON open format is used, then you truly are taking away the right to choose by using a proprietary format. Open formats are the way to go. It insures that everyone can access the data from the application of their choice, and not get locked into one vendor. Microsoft Office supports XML, so they can use that. Or they can use Corel's suite. Or Lotus's suite. Or Open Office. Or Sun's StarOffice. Get the picture? More choice for citizens, not less.
43 posted on 04/06/2006 9:33:45 AM PDT by DesScorp
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: steve-b

I retired in 2001 after designing and building some of the largest data architectures, databases and data warehouses in the world (NASA, Space Station Program, US Army Readiness and Sustainability and many others of that scale).

I can absolutely guarantee that this initiative will fail and it has nothing to do with standards.

Organizational, cultural and personal agendas will guarantee the standard will never be physically implemented, no matter how many laws, rules, standards or whatever these geniuses produce.

Add to that the influence of Minnesota's vendors. They don't give a hoot about your standards. They'll find 42,000 reasons to ignore them. They're pushing product and that takes place on the golf course, not the conference room.

And you can take that to the bank.


44 posted on 04/06/2006 9:38:39 AM PDT by Beckwith (The liberal media has picked sides and they've sided with the Jihadists.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: N3WBI3
Are you saying a CIO does not have the right to impose document format standards for an organization

Of course he does.  Reeks of facism, but who am I to judge?

are you saying the CIO of a state does not have that responsibility

To me, the actual wording would be "irresponsibility".  It's shortsighted and limitting and, to me, sounds like someone is pushing his own personal agenda on others instead of doing what's best for the organization.

I usually send out PDF but ok lets go with yours

Been there.  And about half would return them.  This may surprise the MS haters but not everyone has PDF or ODF capabilities.

Is your resume a government communication?

No, but you could apply the scenario to pretty much any situation where the document must leave the sacred Linux environment and travel out into the real world.

I believe in Open Format Documents and hope that MS adapts it.  It's a very good idea.  What I don't like is the way others are applauding the foolish and irresponsible decision to use only open format.  We ALL know that if the situation were changed and they were told to only use MS, these same people would be screaming mad and calling MS some very choice names, with hints of monopoly and bribery on MS's part thrown in.

45 posted on 04/06/2006 9:53:21 AM PDT by softwarecreator (Facts are to liberals as holy water is to vampires.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 42 | View Replies]

To: Tribune7
When I read this I took the part "the concept that government has a responsibility to protect the taxpayers" as sarcasm.

Sorry, I was having a moment of idealism. ;-)

46 posted on 04/06/2006 10:00:12 AM PDT by steve-b (A desire not to butt into other people's business is eighty percent of all human wisdom)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: steve-b

:-)


47 posted on 04/06/2006 10:11:38 AM PDT by Tribune7
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46 | View Replies]

To: Beckwith
Thank you.  It's nice to have someone put this issue in proper focus.  You are right, it's ddomed to fail.
48 posted on 04/06/2006 10:34:04 AM PDT by softwarecreator (Facts are to liberals as holy water is to vampires.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 44 | View Replies]

To: softwarecreator
No, but you could apply the scenario to pretty much any situation where the document must leave the sacred Linux environment and travel out into the real world.

What does ODF have to do with Linux?

49 posted on 04/06/2006 10:34:09 AM PDT by N3WBI3 (If SCO wants to go fishing they should buy a permit and find a lake like the rest of us..)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 45 | View Replies]

To: N3WBI3
Well, it's obviously not an MS thing.  And the reason I mentioned Linux is that most people here are Linux advocates.  Heck, you probably pinged half of them.  =)
50 posted on 04/06/2006 10:36:31 AM PDT by softwarecreator (Facts are to liberals as holy water is to vampires.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 49 | View Replies]

To: N3WBI3

Most people can NOT read your funky new format, I know I can't. However practically ANYONE can read Microsoft formats, including those of you using your beloved freeware.

Which format therefore makes the most sense to standardize on? The one that everyone can already read, or your funky new one that almost no one can?

According to you, the funky new one that practically no one can read without downloading and installing your funky freeware first. And THAT is what this is obviously about.


51 posted on 04/06/2006 10:52:23 AM PDT by Golden Eagle
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 42 | View Replies]

To: softwarecreator

swc,

This is as much a windows/linux thing as it is a great taste/less filling thing. There are many packages that read ODF on *just about every* os out there.


52 posted on 04/06/2006 10:53:25 AM PDT by N3WBI3 (If SCO wants to go fishing they should buy a permit and find a lake like the rest of us..)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 50 | View Replies]

To: softwarecreator

I think you should send all 20 resumes in PDF.


53 posted on 04/06/2006 11:00:06 AM PDT by Petronski (I love Cyborg!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 41 | View Replies]

To: Golden Eagle
Most people can NOT read your funky new format, I know I can't.

Incapable of buying star office from sun are ya?

Well Ill throw you a bone:

http://opendocument4all.com/content/view/18/35/

The one that everyone can already read

Which MS itself is replacing with a format locked down by a restrictive legal agreement..

According to you, the funky new one that practically no one can read without downloading and installing your funky freeware first.

You pump sun all the time why are you steering people away from StarOffice?

54 posted on 04/06/2006 11:00:39 AM PDT by N3WBI3 (If SCO wants to go fishing they should buy a permit and find a lake like the rest of us..)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 51 | View Replies]

To: Golden Eagle

55 posted on 04/06/2006 11:01:43 AM PDT by N3WBI3 (If SCO wants to go fishing they should buy a permit and find a lake like the rest of us..)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 51 | View Replies]

To: Golden Eagle
According to you, the funky new one that practically no one can read without downloading and installing your funky freeware first. And THAT is what this is obviously about.

It's about getting away from dependence on a single vendor. If something like this actually happened in enough places, Microsoft would be forced to decide to (a) enter these markets by implementing ODF or (b) withdraw from these markets by refusing to implement ODF.

56 posted on 04/06/2006 11:07:43 AM PDT by Petronski (I love Cyborg!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 51 | View Replies]

To: N3WBI3

No need to buy anything, and no need to buy only from Sun.

Open Office is free, other vendors are implementing ODF. Microsoft might refuse, or they might participate--their choice.


57 posted on 04/06/2006 11:09:44 AM PDT by Petronski (I love Cyborg!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 55 | View Replies]

To: steve-b
Governments don't want some monopoly vendor to fleece the taxpayers. They hate competition.

It aint just govt. Corporations as well. My brother in Orleans was telling me of the piss poor DSL service they have thats barely above 56K! Bellsouth.net is no better than Microshaft (loved it the other day when Gates said "NO PCs sold without an OS!". So much for competition. Sigh

58 posted on 04/06/2006 11:11:33 AM PDT by Windsong (Jesus Saves, but Buddha makes incremental backups)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: N3WBI3

Ive never even heard of StarOffice. Does BestBuy, Compusa, etc sell it?


59 posted on 04/06/2006 11:13:25 AM PDT by Windsong (Jesus Saves, but Buddha makes incremental backups)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 54 | View Replies]

To: N3WBI3
Incapable of buying star office from sun are ya?

Why should I have to do that? What's wrong with wrong with what I already have, since you've already admitted everyone including those with only freeware can already read it? I thought you said you were trying to make this easier? How is making me use something I don't want or need now making it easier?

60 posted on 04/06/2006 11:20:06 AM PDT by Golden Eagle
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 54 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 161-163 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson