Saturday, September 03, 2005

Massachusetts chooses open source

Massachusetts mandates open-format docs, edges toward Linux

The state of Massachusetts will revamp its digital output during the next 16 months to create only open-format documents and is increasing its use of Linux and free and open source software (FOSS) among its workers, the state's chief information officer told DesktopLinux.com Thursday in a conference call.

CIO Peter Quinn challenged Microsoft and other companies who sell software that uses proprietary document formats to consider enabling open-format options as soon as possible. Quinn said that "government is creating history at a rapidly increasing rate, and all documents we save must be accessible to everybody, without having to use 'closed' software to open them now and in the future."


This will be a very closely watched implementation.

Edit-
Microsoft Blasts Massachusetts' New XML Policy
Massachusetts to Adopt New Data Standards
Massachusetts Information Technology Division

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