04.12.07
Shocking: MSFT Tries To Manipulate California
Bytesfree and “o(blog n)” tell us how shocking it is that Microsoft is sending out an e-mail message trying to stir up a fake grassroots effort to keep California dependent upon their file formats (and therefore, their software).
As O(Blog N) puts it, “This bill is common sense. This will be in the best interest of any organization, any industry, and technology in general.” If Microsoft opposes the use of an open, standardized file format that is supported by multiple vendors and controlled by a standards group
Is Microsoft seriously attempting a campaign to kill AB 1668? This would be outrageous! Not only would it be counter to common sense, but the bill doesn’t preclude the use of Microsoft applications anyway. It would just mean that Microsoft would have to use a file format that meets some common sense requirements. Microsoft is currently lobbying for acceptance of its Office Open XML (OOXML) format. ECMA approved this and it’s now before ISO/IEC. The OOXML spec is an unprecedented 6000 pages and is ridiculously contradictory to openness and standards …
The text of the bill:
SECTION 1. Section 11541.1 is added to the Government Code, to read:
11541.1. (a) Beginning on or after January 1, 2008, all
documents, including, but not limited to, text, spreadsheets, and presentations, produced by any state agency shall be created, exchanged, and preserved in an open extensible markup language-based, XML-based file format, as specified by the department. When deciding
how to implement this section, the department in its evaluation of open, XML-based file formats shall consider all of the following features:
(1) Interoperable among diverse internal and external platforms and applications.
(2) Fully published and available royalty-free.
(3) Implemented by multiple vendors.
(4) Controlled by an open industry organization with a
well-defined inclusive process for evolution of the standard.
(b) Beginning on or after January 1, 2008, state agencies shall start to become equipped to accept all documents in an open, XML-based file format for office applications, and shall not adopt a file format used by only one entity.
(c) The department shall develop guidelines for state agencies to follow in determining whether existing electronic documents need to be converted to an open, XML-based file format. The department shall
consider all of the following:
(1) The cost of converting electronic documents.
(2) The need for the documents to be publicly accessible.
(3) The expected storage life of the documents.
California’s financial future is at stake. Microsoft is not the enemy—they just have a monopoly cash-cow to protect—but we, especially those of us who live and pay taxes in California, need to give our state the upper hand over its vendors.
For those who say, “I disagree with the state forcing Microsoft to change their file formats,” the state is doing no such thing. Microsoft will choose to support ODF (ISO/IEC 26300) because they want to continue selling software to government customers. Government customers, like any other customers, have the right to set criteria for their purchases.
In return, vendors have the right to decide whether to meet those criteria. In the case of AB 1668, the specific file format is not named. Instead, a few common-sense criteria are set, which are already met by ODF and which MS-OOXML (or Ecma 376, as it currently exists) can not currently meet. Since government purchases are about 10% of the market for shrink-wrap software, I would expect that Microsoft will give up their stubbornness and do what is best for customers, which is support the standard (ODF).
In this case, the interests of smaller businesses, state agencies, and citizens of California are all on the side of AB 1668. On the other side are the interests of Microsoft and them alone. California should choose the former and let Microsoft worry about the latter. Hearings begin April 17. For yourself, your children, and your neighbors, please contact your state senator and assemblyperson to express your support for AB 1668.
