[ossig] ossig Digest, Vol 17, Issue 4
Gerald Lim
geraldlimkc at gmail.com
Wed Dec 26 11:41:31 MYT 2007
Hi all,
Here are the official replies from MS.
· On the specific standards:
o HTML will be the primary format for public information published on the
Internet
o PDF will be the mandatory format for maintaining the original look and
feel of documents
o ODF shall be applied to documents that may be changed after download,
i.e. documents to be filled in users
· The main reason given for the decision is that everyone should
have equal access to public information. Every citizen should be able to
choose which software they want to use in order to have access to public
information. Also, this decision will improve the competition among vendors
in the software market
· The decision will be implemented from January 1st 2009 for
government entities
· Public sector entities will have until January 2014 to change
already published documents
· The decision does not prevent public entities from publishing in
other document formats outside HTML, as long as the documents are also
published in one of the mandatory formats ODF and PDF.
· Documents published on public websites is a first step in
standardization of document formats. The government will also consider
formats for document exchange with the public sector and eventually the
exchange of documents internally in the public sector
· The Ministry will also start working on legislation that ensures
compliance by local and regional authorities
· The press release does not state which versions of PDF and ODF
they have decided upon, but the Ministry over the phone referred to the
current ISO-version of ODF (presently 1.0) and PDF 1.4 and newer. They where
rather unclear on the PDF versions, but most likely they are referring to
version 1.7 which is in the pipeline to become an ISO-standard. We must
expect that the catalogue of approved standards and thus the actual versions
will be published very soon. **
**
*Assessment:*
· It was expected that the government would make a decision on
document formats in the December/February timeframe, and that OpenXML at
this point would not be included in the list of approved standards. The
Minister has recently made statements indicating such an outcome.
· We are disappointed and find the basis for the decision lacking.
This applies to several key aspects. For instance, there is no explanation
as to why OpenXML is excluded and why the non yet formally ISO-approved
version of PDF is included.
*MS messages:*
· Microsoft Norway supports the government's efforts to promote the
use of open standards in the public sector.
· OpenXML is an open standard approved and controlled by the
international standardization body ECMA and should be included alongside
ODF.
· Microsoft favors freedom of choice for customers and developers
and therefore supports a multiple standards approach.
On Dec 15, 2007 12:00 PM, <ossig-request at mncc.com.my> wrote:
> Send ossig mailing list submissions to
> ossig at mncc.com.my
>
> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
> http://mncc.com.my/mailman/listinfo/ossig_mncc.com.my
> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
> ossig-request at mncc.com.my
>
> You can reach the person managing the list at
> ossig-owner at mncc.com.my
>
> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
> than "Re: Contents of ossig digest..."
>
>
> Today's Topics:
>
> 1. The Netherlands going OSS, Microsoft objects (Ditesh Kumar)
> 2. Re: The Netherlands going OSS, Microsoft objects
> (Hasannudin Saidin)
> 3. Re: The Netherlands going OSS, Microsoft objects (Khairil Yusof)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Fri, 14 Dec 2007 16:39:13 +0800
> From: Ditesh Kumar <ditesh at gathani.org>
> Subject: [ossig] The Netherlands going OSS, Microsoft objects
> To: myoss at lists.foss.org.my
> Cc: ossig at mncc.com.my
> Message-ID: <1197621553.3970.69.camel at cassini.gathani.org>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
>
> The Netherlands is deciding to use OSS but Microsoft is the only one
> objecting (just as they did in Malaysia).
>
> Gerald, care to comment?
>
> ---
> From
>
> http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071213/ap_on_hi_te/netherlands_open_source;_ylt=Aiq9G3BD9k_R3v3L4GwXJzkjtBAF
>
>
> AMSTERDAM, Netherlands - The Dutch government has set a soft deadline of
> April 2008 for its agencies to start using open-source software ? freely
> distributed programs that anyone can modify ? the Netherlands Economic
> Affairs Ministry said Thursday.
>
> Government organizations will still be able to use proprietary software
> and formats but will have to justify it under the new policy, ministry
> spokesman Edwin van Scherrenburg said.
>
> Van Scherrenburg said the plan was approved unanimously at a meeting of
> two parliamentary commissions on Wednesday.
>
> Many governments worldwide have begun testing open-source software to
> cut costs and eliminate dependency on individual companies such as
> Microsoft Corp. The government estimates it would save $8.8 million a
> year on city housing registers alone after switching to open source.
>
> Microsoft has raced to achieve "open source" certification for its Open
> Office XML standard, but has so far failed to receive endorsement from
> the International Standards Organization, the certifying authority
> recognized by the Dutch government.
>
> Microsoft Netherlands spokesman Hans Bos noted that its Word documents
> were still allowed as equal alternatives for the moment and said he
> expects the company to receive approval soon for its Open Office XML to
> qualify as open source.
>
> But he said the company was worried about and opposed other aspects of
> the Dutch policy, especially the provision that agencies should prefer
> open source.
>
> "We think it's not in the best interest of the wider software market to
> single out one model for endorsement like this," he said.
>
> The numerous European towns and cities, notably Munich, Germany, and
> Vienna, Austria, using open-source systems remain a tiny slice of the
> overall software market.
>
> The Dutch policy directs government organizations at the national level
> to be ready to use the Open Document Format to save documents by April,
> and at the state and local level by 2009.
>
>
> --
> May your signals all trap Ditesh Kumar
> May your references be bounded ditesh at gathani.org
> All memory aligned http://ditesh.gathani.org/blog
> Floats to ints rounded http://www.openmalaysiablog.com
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Fri, 14 Dec 2007 17:08:00 +0800
> From: Hasannudin Saidin <hasan at my.ibm.com>
> Subject: Re: [ossig] The Netherlands going OSS, Microsoft objects
> To: ossig at mncc.com.my
> Message-ID:
> <
> OF076F27B7.8E676CBA-ON482573B1.0031B81F-482573B1.00323B01 at my.ibm.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>
> Ditesh,
>
> You wanna write to the author and clarify to him the difference between
> open source and open standards? You once reported on the Dutch plan for
> open standards:
>
> http://www.openmalaysiablog.com/2007/09/the-dutch-plan-.html#comment-93379808
>
> The author is probably this guy: http://www.tobysterling.net
>
>
> Or perhaps "Open Office XML" (sic) from Microsoft is indeed going open
> source?
>
>
> Hasan.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Ditesh Kumar
> <ditesh at gathani.o
> rg> To
> Sent by: myoss at lists.foss.org.my
> ossig-bounces at mnc cc
> c.com.my ossig at mncc.com.my
> Subject
> [ossig] The Netherlands going OSS,
> 12/14/2007 04:39 Microsoft objects
> PM
>
>
> Please respond to
> ditesh at gathani.or
> g; Please respond
> to
> ossig at mncc.com.my
>
>
>
>
>
>
> The Netherlands is deciding to use OSS but Microsoft is the only one
> objecting (just as they did in Malaysia).
>
> Gerald, care to comment?
>
> ---
> From
>
> http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071213/ap_on_hi_te/netherlands_open_source;_ylt=Aiq9G3BD9k_R3v3L4GwXJzkjtBAF
>
>
>
> AMSTERDAM, Netherlands - The Dutch government has set a soft deadline of
> April 2008 for its agencies to start using open-source software ? freely
> distributed programs that anyone can modify ? the Netherlands Economic
> Affairs Ministry said Thursday.
>
> Government organizations will still be able to use proprietary software
> and formats but will have to justify it under the new policy, ministry
> spokesman Edwin van Scherrenburg said.
>
> Van Scherrenburg said the plan was approved unanimously at a meeting of
> two parliamentary commissions on Wednesday.
>
> Many governments worldwide have begun testing open-source software to
> cut costs and eliminate dependency on individual companies such as
> Microsoft Corp. The government estimates it would save $8.8 million a
> year on city housing registers alone after switching to open source.
>
> Microsoft has raced to achieve "open source" certification for its Open
> Office XML standard, but has so far failed to receive endorsement from
> the International Standards Organization, the certifying authority
> recognized by the Dutch government.
>
> Microsoft Netherlands spokesman Hans Bos noted that its Word documents
> were still allowed as equal alternatives for the moment and said he
> expects the company to receive approval soon for its Open Office XML to
> qualify as open source.
>
> But he said the company was worried about and opposed other aspects of
> the Dutch policy, especially the provision that agencies should prefer
> open source.
>
> "We think it's not in the best interest of the wider software market to
> single out one model for endorsement like this," he said.
>
> The numerous European towns and cities, notably Munich, Germany, and
> Vienna, Austria, using open-source systems remain a tiny slice of the
> overall software market.
>
> The Dutch policy directs government organizations at the national level
> to be ready to use the Open Document Format to save documents by April,
> and at the state and local level by 2009.
>
>
> --
> May your signals all trap Ditesh Kumar
> May your references be bounded ditesh at gathani.org
> All memory aligned http://ditesh.gathani.org/blog
> Floats to ints rounded http://www.openmalaysiablog.com
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> ossig mailing list
> ossig at mncc.com.my
> http://mncc.com.my/mailman/listinfo/ossig_mncc.com.my
> -------------- next part --------------
> An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
> URL:
> http://mncc.com.my/pipermail/ossig_mncc.com.my/attachments/20071214/24d3a200/attachment-0001.html
> -------------- next part --------------
> A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
> Name: graycol.gif
> Type: image/gif
> Size: 105 bytes
> Desc: not available
> Url :
> http://mncc.com.my/pipermail/ossig_mncc.com.my/attachments/20071214/24d3a200/attachment-0003.gif
> -------------- next part --------------
> A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
> Name: pic09617.gif
> Type: image/gif
> Size: 1255 bytes
> Desc: not available
> Url :
> http://mncc.com.my/pipermail/ossig_mncc.com.my/attachments/20071214/24d3a200/attachment-0004.gif
> -------------- next part --------------
> A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
> Name: ecblank.gif
> Type: image/gif
> Size: 45 bytes
> Desc: not available
> Url :
> http://mncc.com.my/pipermail/ossig_mncc.com.my/attachments/20071214/24d3a200/attachment-0005.gif
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Fri, 14 Dec 2007 17:57:25 +0800
> From: Khairil Yusof <kaeru at inigo-tech.com>
> Subject: Re: [ossig] The Netherlands going OSS, Microsoft objects
> To: ossig at mncc.com.my
> Message-ID: <1197626245.11986.27.camel at localhost>
> Content-Type: text/plain
>
>
> On Fri, 2007-12-14 at 17:08 +0800, Hasannudin Saidin wrote:
> > Ditesh,
> >
> > You wanna write to the author and clarify to him the difference
> > between open source and open standards? You once reported on the Dutch
> > plan for open standards:
> >
> http://www.openmalaysiablog.com/2007/09/the-dutch-plan-.html#comment-93379808
> >
> > The author is probably this guy: http://www.tobysterling.net
> >
> >
> > Or perhaps "Open Office XML" (sic) from Microsoft is indeed going open
> > source?
>
> This mistake still seems to be quite common, my colleague did it twice
> at GIF guide launch.
>
> It gets much worse when it comes to copyrights, licensing, patents and
> trademarks.
>
> "Unlicensed Software"
> "Copyright Free"
> "We lose ownership"
> "It has IP infringements"
>
> It gets quite tiring, and and I feel like I'm becoming RMS.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> _______________________________________________
> ossig mailing list
> ossig at mncc.com.my
> http://mncc.com.my/mailman/listinfo/ossig_mncc.com.my
>
>
> End of ossig Digest, Vol 17, Issue 4
> ************************************
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://mncc.com.my/pipermail/ossig_mncc.com.my/attachments/20071226/f07ab81a/attachment-0001.html
More information about the ossig
mailing list