FC NOW: The Fast Company Weblog
September 2, 2005
Open Source of Our Discontent?
Leaders of the state of Massachusetts have indicated that they may decide to stop using Microsoft Office unless its maker starts using a file format that can be used easily in conjunction with other software packages. Various state agencies use different applications -- and often cannot share information because their files aren't compatible.
In a report issued by the Information Technology Division, leaders recommend that state agencies use the OpenDocument format, which is compatible with a number of programs -- and which can be adopted freely by other companies. Microsoft's file formats are proprietary.
As a longtime user of Microsoft Outlook, I've occasionally been frustrated by the barriers to switching to another email application -- because it's a challenge to migrate my six-plus years of email archives. What do you think the solution to this quandary is? Should organizations move to more flexible standards? Should Microsoft make its file formats more compatible? Have you faced similar challenges where you work?
Posted by Heath Row at September 2, 2005 10:56 AM | Category: technology + computers |
2 Comments
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It's about time the large enterprise marketplace wakes up and realizes they hold the power to force change from software vendors who intentionally make it difficult for them to share information across platforms.
I've been using OpenOffice.org for three years now and my clients are usually using MS products. I have very few difficulties in exchanging documents and the soon-to-be released OOo 2.0 (in Beta at this time) is much better. Of course, OpenOffice can read Open Document files.
The added benefits of PDF and Flash export make Open Office an excellent business tool.