Once pro-open sauce state backs Microsoft

ONCE THE flag bearer of the Open Sauce movement, the State of Massachusetts has changed its technology policy to allow Microsoft's Office Open XML through the door.

Two years ago, Massachusetts created a technical architecture based on open standards. Since Vole's Office did not meet the standard, the state chose the existing standard, OpenDocument format, or ODF.

Since then Microsoft has been pushing its Open XML which has been ratified as a standard by European group Ecma International and is in the process of seeking standardisation at the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

According to News.com, state officials said that its inclusion of both document formats, Open XML and ODF, was done for technical reasons and without vendor bias.

Henry Dormitzer, Undersecretary of Administration and Finance and Bethann Pepoli, the acting Chief Information Officer said that shortcomings in either format were best sorted out in standards bodies.

However, open saucers claimed that Microsoft leaned on, er lobbied the State politicians, until it bowed to the Vole's will.

More here. µ

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