[LINK] Dutch government threatens to sideline Microsoft

[Bernard Robertson-Dunn]

Dutch government threatens to sideline Microsoft
By Brenno De Winter
WebWereld Netherlands
December 10, 2007 8:10 am ET
http://www.macworld.com/news/2007/12/10/dutch/index.php

Proposed legislation that would mandate the use of the Open Document 
Format (ODF) across the entire Dutch government has infuriated 
Microsoft. A group promoting open standards sees no threat, however, and 
has invited Microsoft to join its ranks.

On Wednesday the Dutch parliament will discuss a plan to mandate use of 
the Open Document Format (ODF) at government agencies. The proposal is 
part of a wider plan to increase the sustainability of information and 
innovation, while lowering costs through the reuse of data.

Policy makers see interoperability as the key to achieving these goals 
and therefore recommend that open standards should be used whenever 
possible. Bodies that wish to deviate from the open standards policy can 
request a temporary stay, but have to show a timeline showing a planned 
implementation date — a policy described as “comply or explain.”

The proposal recommends the use of open source software if that’s a 
viable alternative over closed-source applications, which could give a 
major boost to applications like OpenOffice. Implementing the plan is 
expected to cost 8.45 million euros between 2008 and 2011.

By mandating ODF, however, the plan could disqualify Microsoft products. 
The software vendor doesn’t support ODF but instead backs its OpenXML 
format, which is pending approval as an open standard before the 
International Organization for Standardization.

Microsoft Netherlands has engaged in fierce lobbying in an attempt to 
derail the plan. The company argues that the current definition is too 
narrow, specifically by mandating ODF rather than open standards in 
general. “I wonder if you would be allowed to use standards like PDF, 
Wifi, GSM, XML, Bluetooth and mp3 within the government or if you would 
be bound to a comply or explain as well,” Theo Rinsema, general manager 
of Microsoft Netherlands, said to Webwereld, an IDG affiliate.

Although approval of OpenXML as an open standard is pending, Rinsema 
argued that the format should be treated as an equal alternative to ODF.

Rinsema fears that the current proposal could lead to discrimination 
against Microsoft products ranging from Office 12 to .Net, even though 
they offer a proper solution at a cost that is comparable to competing 
products.

The ban would also affect other IT vendors that partially base their 
products on Microsoft technologies, Microsoft cautioned. Rinsema singled 
out local partner company Orange Hill, which delivers open-source 
software based on Microsoft Windows.

“There is an ecosystem around our products that employs 170,000 people. 
They deliver all sorts of services,” said Rinsema. “With the uncertainty 
in the program, I wonder if they still have a license to operate.”

The OpenDoc Society, an organization that promotes the adoption of open 
standards and backer of ODF, claims that Microsoft is crying wolf.

“The choice in favor of ODF doesn’t exclude anybody. I fail to see why 
authorities cannot use Microsoft Office” said Ruud Vriens, CEO of 
RedNose and a founding member of the OpenDoc Society.

He points to plug-ins such as one developed by Sun Microsystems that 
enable the use of ODF in Office 12. Microsoft and Novell are working on 
another plug-in. “There is also no reason not to use .Net with this 
plan, since ODF-compatibility has been ensured with software.”

“This plan is not about Microsoft, it’s about ensuring the perpetual 
availability of data without any obstacles. Currently there are issues 
with OpenXML, they aren’t an official ISO-standard yet. And the way they 
tried to get the specification certified is questionable at least,” 
charged Vriens. “We would like to encourage Microsoft to join our ranks 
by becoming a participating member of our society. That would enable us 
to work with them to ensure an innovative and durable future so they can 
remain open for business.”

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Regards
brd

Bernard Robertson-Dunn
Sydney Australia
brd at iimetro.com.au