>http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9025618&intsrc=news_ts_head
> >>
> >
> > > Sometimes the good guys win.
> >
> > Yup. Now I wish we'd follow Massachusetts's lead and mandate open formats
> > for all documents.
> >
> > And then go one further and mandate that all state agencies use open
> source
> > tools wherever possible.
>
>The only thing preventing that perhaps are the lobbyists....???
I'm sure they'd be there if there was a chance it would happen. Right now
there doesn't appear to be any organized interest in making this happen.
Every time there's an opportunity to comment on state data systems
(Requests for Information, public comment on plans, etc.) I lay out the
argument. But I bet that if I'm not the only one doing it, I could count
those who are on the fingers of one hand.
However, I think I did have some small effect on the State Health
Department. After I responded to one of their RFIs, their next round of
grant applications stipulated an ability to read and produce .doc documents
and .xls spreadsheets, instead of demanding that contractors have Microsoft
Office. A small concession but aimed in the right direction, I think.
Ken Dibble
www.stic-cil.org
©2007 Ken Dibble |
