MESSAGE
| DATE | 2005-09-03 |
| FROM | Ruben Safir
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| SUBJECT | Subject: [NYLXS - HANGOUT] Open FOrmats in the Federal government
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US state plans to ditch Microsoft software - report
08.31.2005, 11:14 PM
HONG KONG (AFX) - The state of Massachusetts is proposing to make all
its workers stop using Microsoft's Word, Excel and other desktop
software applications and switch to open source software, said the
Financial Times.
In its online edition, the newspaper reported that the US state said
yesterday that at the beginning of 2007 it is planning to order all
state employees to create and save documents using only open format
software.
Microsoft's Office software is a closed format software.
The report said OpenDocument, which is used in open source applications
like OpenOffice, and PDF, a widely used standard for electronic
documents, would be the only software permitted.
The proposal, which is open for comment until the end of next week
before it takes effect, would give open source software like OpenOffice
a huge boost. OpenOffice is created by volunteer programmers and made
available free of charge.
Open source consultant Sam Hiser said OpenOffice is widely used in some
emerging countries but as yet has very limited use in the US.
He added the decision to switch to open software could influences others
to also change.
The newspaper said Microsoft's Office software, which includes Word,
Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, produces roughly 40 pct of the firm's
revenues and earnings.
The report cited a senior Microsoft executive as saying last night that
the proposal could force state agencies in Massachusetts to make an
expensive and time-consuming switch to new PC software.
dg/dk
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