On 11/7/05, Jon maddog Hall <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Ted, > > I can't attend the meeting tonight, I am off overseas again, but if anyone > can talk a bit about what is happening with OASIS in Massachusetts, and > (actually more important) the movement of IT selection from the executive > branch to the legislative branch, that might be worth discussing a bit.
Here is a memo from RedHat's Tom Rabon, Executive Vice President Corporate Affairs. It was posted to BLU by a subscriber (not the author), and I'm posting it here to answer your question and further propagate the message because there is a lot of interest in the topic...specifically what is being done about it. I hope that helps. - Greg -------- Original Message -------- Subject: Massachusetts Open Document Format Issue Date: Sat, 05 Nov 2005 09:43:03 -0500 From: tom rabon <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] All, Many of you have expressed interest in the Massachusetts Open Document Format issue recently. As this issue has global ramifications I thought I would give you an update on the issue from Red Hat's perspective. In September, the Massachusetts Information Technology Division (an entity of the executive branch of government in Mass) implemented the Enterprise Technical Reference Model V. 3.5 (ETRM) after considerable public comment. You can learn more about the ETRM at: http://www.mass.gov/Aitd/ .Generally speaking, the ETRM calls for Massachusetts state government documents to use the Open Document standard. The directive seeks to ensure the state's electronic records can easily be read, exchanged and modified now and in the future, free of licensing restrictions and compatibility problems as software evolves. As you might imagine, Microsoft is aggressively attempting to derail the ETRM directive. Because they have lost the battle with the executive branch of government in Massachusetts, they have successfully shifted the issue to the state legislature, where they have recruited some prominent champions for their position. On Monday, October 31st, a hearing was held in the Mass State Senate on this issue by Senator Mark Pacheco, who is the primary advocate for the Microsoft position. The hearing was very favorable to the Microsoft position. Red Hat's own Paul Cormier had asked to testify at the hearing, but he along with others from Sun, IBM, Adobe and others were not allowed to testify. (This is not unusual; we will have our opportunity to testify at a subsequent hearing). Later in the week, language was inserted into an Economic Stimulus Bill which could subjugate all IT procurements and decision making in the Commonwealth to a special task force. This language would have the effect of shifting IT procurement decisions from the executive branch of government to the legislative branch, a terrible decision, not only for software companies but all IT companies. As this is a separation of powers issue, if the Legislature approves this amendment, a court battle may follow. So you may ask, what is Red Hat doing to advocate our position on this important issue? First, we are a member of a coalition in support of the Mass ODF directive. Other prominent industry members include Sun, IBM, Novell and Adobe. We are working every day to strengthen our position by adding other members to our coalition. Secondly, we are advocating our position to the Massachusetts Legislature through letters and personal visits with legislators. And thirdly, we are active participants along with other companies and associations in a coalition to develop plans to introduce the idea of open documents formats to other US states and countries around the world. You may have read about media accounts this week about a meeting which was held at IBM headquarters in New York to begin to develop this global strategy. For those Red Hat associates who live or work in Massachusetts, we may be calling upon you to write letters, if you are so inclined, to selected Massachusetts state legislators in support of our position. I will let you know when it is appropriate to write the letters. For the rest of us who do not live or work in Massachusetts I would ask that you not write letters or emails to Massachusetts public officials. Out of state letters or emails have little, if any, impact and could be counterproductive. We believe that the issue of open document formats will become a major public policy issue in other venues over the next few months, so stay tuned. You will have your chance. I had the opportunity to do a presentation on OSS growth in government in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia in September. I was asked about the situation in Massachusetts by several Malaysian government officials. Paul Cormier got the same question on his recent visit to the Czech Republic. The eyes of the world are on Massachusetts. Rest assured Red Hat is doing its part to advocate open document formats, not only in Massachusetts, but around the world. Thanks for your continuing interest in this important issue. Regards, Tom Tom Rabon Executive Vice President Corporate Affairs Red Hat Inc 919/ 754 -3700 x44141 email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] _______________________________________________ gnhlug-discuss mailing list gnhlug-discuss@mail.gnhlug.org http://mail.gnhlug.org/mailman/listinfo/gnhlug-discuss