Senator John Cornyn 09_26_05 Re Open Formats

Dear Senator: An important thing happened in Massachusetts recently. The state implemented an OPEN STANDARD for word processing files. This is important because until now, MICROSOFT has both DICTATED AND HELD SECRET the FORMATS files are stored in. Other examples of OPEN STANDARDS include HTML and MP3. These formats ALLOW COMPETITION between software engineers and manufacturers for the best possible software. M'soft has used the SECRET NATURE of file formats to force people to update software to accommodate un-necessary changes in formats, each change KILLING COMPETITION of those who would read their format by reverse engineering. This choice by the state of Mass. is problematic because M'Soft has determined they will not acknowledge the new standard, nor UPDATE M'SOFT "WORD" SOFTWARE to read and write the new format. So neither state employees nor CLIENTS can use WORD for state business. The replacement software that allows ANYONE to USE the OPEN STANDARD is free, but bulky to download unless you have broadband internet. You may have heard of OPEN OFFICE (available before the "controversy") from the open source initiative. This SOFTWARE ACCOMMODATES MASSACHUSETTS' format as well as M'soft Word and others. Word Perfect also processes multiple file formats. Mr. Cornyn, please regard this as an important step for FREE MARKET COMPETITION FOR ALL SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS. Detractors ignore that other word processors allow multiple formats, EVEN MICROSOFT'S OWN WORDPAD. Please form an opinion about this, and aid and abet those who seek more competition, and OPEN STANDARDS in general. In closing it is IMPORTANT to remember: open STANDARDS do NOT force OPEN SOURCE. M'soft is welcome to keep its code secret indefinitely. We don't have to see their code to compete. Yours Sincerely, Rob Johnson *end of letter* Note: Norway has done the something similar more recently.