Massachusetts software switch set to hit Microsoft

[newbie2]

"The state of Massachusetts has laid out a plan to switch all its workers away from Microsoft's Word, Excel and other desktop software applications, delivering what would be one of the most significant setbacks to the software company's battle against open-source software in its home market.
The decision by one of the most populous states in the US could influence others which have yet to consider the issue, said Sam Hiser, an open source consultant and author."
http://news.ft.com/cms/s/e8fc5cce-1a85-11da-b7f5-00000e2511c8.html

[matthew]

Good. Hopefully more federal/state/local governments/agencies will follow suit.

[wellery]

Very interesting. Thanks for the good read. They are onto the right thing. I'm sick of proprietry formats and applications which you can only use on the windows operating system.

[weasel fierce]

Somehow its not surprising its happening in Mass

[Lord Illidan]

Somehow its not surprising its happening in Mass

Why is that?

Good news for us, though... bad news for M$...

[Brunellus]

Why is that?

Good news for us, though... bad news for M$...
Massachusetts has gained a reputation of being a bit more left-leaning than the rest of the Union.

Historically, it makes me smile. I wonder what Henry Cabot Lodge would think?

Not to put a fly in the ointment, guys, but this could just be a ploy to twist the arms of the proprietary software vendors, a la pharmaceutical reimportation from Canada....

And just because they declare it to be so doesn't mean they'll actually follow-through: witness Unilever's abandonment of Linux, posted today in slashdot.

http://linux.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=05/08/31/2337246&from=rss

[newbie2]

"So, what do you think? When we didn't much like what they were doing, we said so at length. If you appreciate the change, you may wish to let them know and say thank you.
The public review draft of the Information Domain - Enterprise Technical Reference Model v.3.5 is available for review through Friday, September 9, 2005. Comments can also be addressed to Standards@state.ma.us. Here's LinuxToday's coverage."
http://www.groklaw.net/article.php?story=20050831202118904

[newbie2]

Massachusetts has gained a reputation of being a bit more left-leaning than the rest of the Union.

Historically, it makes me smile. I wonder what Henry Cabot Lodge would think?

Not to put a fly in the ointment, guys, but this could just be a ploy to twist the arms of the proprietary software vendors, a la pharmaceutical reimportation from Canada....

And just because they declare it to be so doesn't mean they'll actually follow-through: witness Unilever's abandonment of Linux, posted today in slashdot.

http://linux.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=05/08/31/2337246&from=rss
"Massachusetts was the only state that decided not to settle its antitrust claims against Microsoft in a case brought about by federal government and a number of US states back in 2002. That deal forced the software giant to make it easier for competitors to provide products on Windows. However, Massachusetts rejected that settlement claiming that Microsoft was still engaged in stifling competition.

In July 2004, the US Court of Appeals rejected the state's argument, but this latest move would seem to suggest that Massachusetts is not prepared to kiss and make up just yet."
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/09/01/mass_open/

[weasel fierce]

My limited experience (and yes, this is in jest) is that people from Massachusetts have two qualities in abundance:

They have a stubborn sense of independence and doing their own thing

They are bloody awful drivers :)

[mstlyevil]

My limited experience (and yes, this is in jest) is that people from Massachusetts have two qualities in abundance:

They have a stubborn sense of independence and doing their own thing

They are bloody awful drivers :)

I have first hand experience on driving in Boston. I lost 10 years off my life in one day.

[az]

"The state of Massachusetts has laid out a plan to switch all its workers away from Microsoft's Word, Excel and other desktop software applications, delivering what would be one of the most significant setbacks to the software company's battle against open-source software in its home market.
The decision by one of the most populous states in the US could influence others which have yet to consider the issue, said Sam Hiser, an open source consultant and author."
http://news.ft.com/cms/s/e8fc5cce-1a85-11da-b7f5-00000e2511c8.html

Mako blogged yesterday that he had arrived in Boston. Pretty quick, huh?

[veratyr]

My limited experience (and yes, this is in jest) is that people from Massachusetts have two qualities in abundance:

They have a stubborn sense of independence and doing their own thing

They are bloody awful drivers :)

Well being from MA I can say that Boston is by far the worst city to drive in. But what do you describe as being a bloody awful driver? Do we not drive fast enough for you? Do we drive too fast ZOOOOOOOM!!!!? Do we not pay enough attention to the road cause we are too busy drinking dunkin donuts coffee and talking on cell phones? :smile:
I only ask because I feel I am a good driver and driving on crappy roads torn apart by winter and construction should make one a better driver. Also, yes I like to think I'm independant and like to do my own thing, so long as its within reason and doesn't involve breaking any serious laws. But then again, who deciced that the law was so great? Anyway if this is happens I will be happy to know I'm from a state that supports linux.

[matthew]

I have first hand experience on driving in Boston.
After driving in Casablanca I didn't think Boston was too bad. :)

Mass has a long history of fierce independance. Anyone remember the Boston Tea Party?
(For the non-Americans among us who shouldn't be expected to know a lot of the details of centuries old U.S. history, or just those who didn't pay attention in history class, it was a pre-revolutionary war protest against the King of England.)

[newbie2]

"In return, it is fair to ask whether the MS open standard really is open and can be freely used by anyone without encumbrance. Can it be included in GPL software, for example? Microsoft says it's not for it to comment on other people's licences — a curious stance for a company usually more than ready to talk at length about the legal and practical issues of open development."
http://comment.zdnet.co.uk/other/0,39020682,39216101,00.htm
:---)

[WirelessMike]

http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,122394,00.asp

Yet more mention of this move. I applaud Massachusetts. Break the chain! MS even tried to argue their point. Looks like Mass simply won't be snowed. Envision it, if you will... a future... without MS.

Can you hear Satchmo's version of "What a Wonderful World" in the background?

I know I can...