[KLUG Members] Linux in the Kalamazoo Country Government

[Rusty Yonkers]

> I don't know about other communities, but working in Hudsonville,
> we are
> tied down to M$ in a quite a few areas: Accounting software for
...
...
> I compare it to a gas station selling gas that will only work in GM
> manufactured cars.  We're stuck . . .

That is why I think a push should be made to get a proposal on the
ballot next year forcing the state government to use open data
standards (i.e. openoffice writer for documents) instead of
proprietary standards.  This would start to chink away in a big way
at the Microsoft monopoly.  If they had to publish the entire data
format for like word documents and excel spreadsheets to that others
could truly write compatable programs without the added expense of
reverse engineering the format that would help tremendously!  I am
not sure how the proposal would need to be worded but if a legal
beagle could be found to help out with that then maybe a push could
be started for something.  

I am thinking that the proposal would state something about all data
needs to be created and saved in file formats that are publically
published, documented, and free from copyright issues for use by
multiple programs.  Thus, for M$ Word to be continued to be used as a
product using the Word format for data Microsoft would have to
publish the exact format for the data files and all specifications
for the format of the files, and make use of the file format free and
unencumbered by copyright.  

I have no problem with people writing propriatary code that they want
to offer only commmercially.  The problem that exists is when the
data format then pretty much forces use of a particular program and
as critical mass is reached for that data format then it becomes
almost impossible to realistically compete in that realm.  

Does anyone know any legal beagles that would help draft such a
document pro bono to start things out? Maybe we could really start a
computer revolution right here in Michigan?  Imagine where things
would go from there?  I am sure that Bill would sit up and take note
though.  It would be a big fight I am sure!  That is why I think it
needs to be grass roots with a proposal driven by the masses.  To
often $$$ can buy off politicians.  



=====
Russell C. Yonkers Jr. 
CNE, MCP, A+, CCNA, Linux+, Server+, Network+ certified
-----------------------------------------
Currently using SuSE 9, Mac OS X, Windows 2000, and WinXP 
And yes I run a network at home with Linux and Windows servers
See my personal website http://www.geocities.com/therustycook
Or my consulting site at http://www.atomicsupergeek.com


		
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